What a Meche!

What's eating Gil Meche? Or better yet, what's eating those who naysay against the stand up move that this guy done did for the KC Royals and the MLB as a whole?

For those who are unfamiliar with what I am referring to, a lot of hoopla has been stirring around the notion of pitcher Gil Meche, formally employed by the Kansas City Royals, turning down the final year of his deal, which would have given him a pretty penny, a guaranteed $12 mil.

In the days of athletes holding out (see Darelle Revis) for larger contacts that they and their agents believe they deserve, how can we criticize a guy who understands his own worth? Organizations, especially the MLB, are quick to throw lengthy contracts at guys who have had one or two good years.

Gil Meche had a few good seasons with the Mariners back in the day, but none good enough to warrant the mega contract that the Royals threw his way. His reaction;

“When I signed my contract, my main goal was to earn it,” Meche told the paper from his temporary home in Lafayette, La. “Once I started to realize I wasn’t earning my money, I felt bad. I was making a crazy amount of money for not even pitching. Honestly, I didn’t feel like I deserved it. I didn’t want to have those feelings again.”

Ho-li-smokes. A guy who actually knows he sucks? Where was this type of honor in the days of Hideki Irabu and Carl Pavano?

This is another pathetic story about naysayin'. If the guy doesn't want to try to live up to the $12 million hype, let him go home with his kids! Better that than suck for the season and blow all of your money on booze....

Money Deserved

Had it not been for a few lackadaisical games at the end of the regular season, some voters would have lobbied for Mike Vick to win MVP. He ran away with the comeback player of the year award while slicing up defenses with his arm and legs. He brought life back to the Eagles organization while showing fans that a stint in the slammer had not hurt his game at all, but actually might have helped it.

Along with his reinstatement came an outcry from assclowns and PETA admirers who called for his death. Some people like dogs more than people. However, what those naysayers cannot doubt is that his game is back on point. What comes with a high level of play and a reinvented fan base? Sponsorships.

The Pro Bowl quarterback inked a two-year contract with Unequal Technologies, a provider of the football pads Vick wore most of last season.

The company makes several shock-blocking sports pads. When Vick returned after missing three games with a rib injury, he wore a vest designed by Unequal. He later wore shoulder pads and thigh pads made by the company.

"The Unequal technology is a part of my game now and I won't play without my Unequal," Vick said in a statement acquired by the Associated Press. "Unequal's protective power gives me a whole new level of confidence in my game. It makes me feel invincible."

Jay "Cut Cut inya Butt Nutt"

Lotsa stink goin' around about Kristen Cavalarri's main squeeze, Bear's (questionable) quarterback Jay Cutler. The guy has always had his doubters- from his days at Vanderbilt all the way to this past weekend's NFC championship.

Here is the story. Bears fans (many of which I have encountered at a first hand basis) love to hate. If the last name on the jersey doesn't read Jordan, Pippen, or Kane, you're gonna get heat. Even Urlachers toughness has been questioned, and that guy is part human part bear.

Cutler left the championship game vs the Packers early in the first half from what seemed to be an ordinary hit after a pass. Turns out the dude has an MCL strain on his left knee.

Here is what jergoffs are saying about the guy (via Tweetdeck):

Jaguars RB Maurice Jones Drew (@Jones_Drew32)
"Hey I think the urban meyer rule is effect right now… When the going gets tough……..QUIT.."
"All I'm saying is that he can finish the game on a hurt knee… I played the whole season on one…"

Eagles CB Asante Samuel (@thepresidentcb)
"If he was my teammate I would be looking at him sideways"
"I luv my QB @mikevick he has the heart of a lion. I guess others are scared of success."
"Man shoot that [expletive] up with a needle. He ain't got to do much jus drop back and throw the ball."

Former Bucs LB Derrick Brooks (@DBrooks55)
"the knee injury has to be VERY VERY INJURED, if you come out, Philip RIvers p[layed on torn acl ,now its pick,SERIUOSLY JAY CUTLER"
"HEY there is no medicine for a guy with no guts and heart"

Former NFL star/NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders (@DeionSanders)
"Im telling u in the playoffs u must drag me off the field. All the medicine in pro lockerooms this dude comes out! I apologize bear fans!"
"Folks i never question a players injury but i do question a players heart. Truth"

Let's be honest- Cutler knows that had he won the game, he would have went down with some of the Chicago greats and forever have been immortalized in the eyes of Bears fans. That being said, NO ONE would leave a game in that situation unless it was absolutely necessary. Talking smack about a guy leaving a game sure is easy for retired players and guys who barely made the post season. #smh!

Don't look back in anger

While most New Yorkers are trying to get excited about Knicks basketball and salivating at the taste of pitchers and catchers reporting, we must take a moment and reflect on what a great season it was for the New York Jets.

After an eye opening performance on Hard Knocks, the Jets became a popular favorite for the Super Bowl. Their no-BS approach, backed with great coaching, special teams, defense, and a running game were the early blueprints for success. A star studded group of free agent signings (LT, Cromartie, JT, Santonio Holmes) made picking the Jets easy for most, especially the NY media.
However, playing with a whole new set of guys isn't easy. The whole Revis holdout situation didn't help, the notorious "sophomore slump" that Sanchez may or may not have experienced, Kris Jenkins going down week 1, and the media crazed romance in the form of sideline tripping and foot fetishes did their parts of complicating the already difficult regular season.
When push came to shove the NY Jets showed their real colors. Ground and Pound outdistanced many great teams this season and surely came to life during the playoffs. Beating Indy and New England in the postseason, on the road nonetheless, is surely something to be proud of.
Few question marks heading into next season; resign Cromartie? Will Jim Leohnard be healty? Will Pouha replace Kris Jenkins forever? Will Brian Shottenheimer start to take chances? Does LT have another year in him?

Regardless of the answers to those questions, everyone can look back and say that the J-E-T-S left it all out on the field this year. Big Ups!

Byrd is the Word

If you haven't heard, Byrd is the word. Dennis Byrd served as the Jets honorable captain for Sunday's game vs the Patriots. The Saturday night before a Sunday game is usually when charismatic coach Rex Ryan gives one of his inspirational speeches, but this past game was different. The Jets organization received a package from Byrd, a former Jets defensive end from 1989-1992, which included his torn jersey. That exact jersey was cut off of him after a horrible on-field collision led to him being paralyzed. Pronounced unable to walk for the rest of his life, Byrd defied the odds and can now walk with a limp on his own. The entire Jets organization was floored, especially Braylon Edwards, when Byrd stated to them in the locker room: "I would give anything in my life for one more play."

Whatever else he said in the locker room sure did the trick. The Jets came out swinging and never stopped. Subsequently, Byrd was named starter for this Sunday's game in Pittsburgh as well.

"Hearing about his story for the first time really makes you understand how fortunate we are and how fragile your career is," Sanchez said. "These moments you have on the plane, hanging around in the locker room, having fun with guys, going to eat, playing on the field, it's pretty special. It can end at any moment. That was just a good reminder for us of how fortunate we are."

God love us hood ninjas.

Rewind- AJ?!

With baseball free agency nearing a saddening end for Yankee fans, Brian Cashman seems poised to make one more splash. While pitching, primarily starting pitching, is the root of the Yankee needs, the Cash-man has been looking at 85 year old Andruw Jones(in the photo below, top right).

As the Yankees blog puts it, "The Yankees have interest in Jones as a fourth outfielder who would be capable of hitting for power as well as contributing defense."

Granderson, Swisher, and Gardner make up a solid outfield, especially defensively. Sure, Gardner could never and will never be able to hit for power, but the lineup is stacked and has a distinct need for someone with his speed/patience at the plate.

But Andruw Jones? A defensive assistance? The guy has been in and out of the league for years, although last year posted decent numbers (19 HRs with the White Sox). Yanks toyed around with the idea of Johnny Damnon, but if I were Damon, I would rather play in Mets colors before I entertained a trip back to the Bronx under an incentive laden sheetie one year contract.

Regardless of who is hitting lefties and who is pickin' cans o' corn in the outfield, the Yanks need to focus on getting at least one more proven starter in that rotation. If #28 is relying on the arms of guys like Nova, it's going to be a long season.

Gimme the Loot!

Toyed around with the idea of betting on the Jets/Pats game with my coworker. Looking back now, I should have made that damn bet. The spread was 7.5, and the Jets did more than their part to cover it.

However, the only time I had ever made a sports bet was with a friend, and it was a simple "I got the Vikings, you got the Saints"- the first game of the 2010 season. He won, so I ended up paying in $20. I realized that if I ever wanted to bet on sports, I had better freshen up on my terminology. Without further adieu, here are some sports betting terms that even a child should know:

1. Parlay- An umbrella bet that relies on winning all of several smaller bets. So, I would have had to bet on the Jets beating the Patriots and the Bears beating the Seahawks. Lesser odds to get both right means a higher payout.

2. Spread- The expected margin of victory of the favorite over the underdog. To win, the favored team that you chose to "cover" the spread would have to win by more than the spread number. That means that the Pats would have to have won by 8 in order to win, had you chose them like an asshat.

3. Money Line- This is what I am used to, I was just unsure of the name. This is the bet you make if you just want to pick the winner and loser, regardless of the point differential.

4. Prop (osal) Bet- This is a bet made not on the total outcome of the game, but rather a single aspect of the game. Shonne Greene to get atleast 25 carries? Braylon Edwards to score a touchdown? Bill Bellichek losing his shit?

5. Hedging- You may understand this in financial terms, and the sporting definition is not very different. Hedging generally means betting both sides of a line (not at the same time) so that you can lock in a smaller victory, but remove all (or some) risk.

6. Over/Under- This one, to me atleast, is the most fun. You bet on what you think the combined score will be between the two teams. For the Jets/Pats, with a final score of 28-21, you would have to have bet the over (it was predicted to be 41, but the final was 49).

Regardless if you bet a lot or not, you should be keen on the terms that apply to sports gambling. Here at DocsGood we don't suggest betting, but hell, it is what it is, homay.

On to the Next

Ground and Pound. Rex instilled the mentality early and told anybody who would listen that the Jets were serrouz this season.

Anything short of a Super Bowl ring would be a disappointment. Mark Sanchez goes into the house that Brady built and makes throwing 3 touchdowns look easy as pie. Nick Mangold and the jumbo jets of the offensive line paved the way for Shonne & LT making Brandon Spikes and crew look silly. The wide receivers for the Jets showed that they deserve the title playmakers, and the defense, well, took the term smashmouth to a whole notha' level. Sans captain Jim Leohnard, the Gang Green took Brady down 5 times for sacks and David Harris added an interception on what looked to be a touchdown drive.

Bart Scott could not have said it any better.

So, what we have now is another trip to Pittsburgh to show the Steel City what the Jets are made of. Rewind back to a month ago when the Jets stifling defense showed Big butt Ben and crew that they are a force to be reckoned with. Troy Palamolu or not, the Jets are ready for another upset. In the words of Jay-Z, we:

Soriano? No, not that one

Brian " C.R.E.A.M." Cashman finally made a move. However, it came with many clauses. The Yankees bolstered their soon-to-be overworked bullpen with last years save leader, Rafael Soriano. This came as a bit of a surprise. Firstly, everyone knows that the problem with the Yanks resides in their starting staff. As of now, there are 3 starters, one of which is asshat Burnett.
So, Cashman decides to give up a first round draft choice (MLB mandated when signing a "class A" free agent" and tunzuh money. How much?
It is a 3 year deal worth as much as $35 million. It took the Yankees "lots of headaches" when they came up with a very similar contract offering for Mariano Rivera. Mariano Rivera!!!
The catch is that Soriano has the option to opt out after every year. This gives the Yanks some security as if Soriano blows, they can sever ties without owing much money.
Still a shocker though. I mean we beat up Joba's mind with sending him to and from the starting rotation about one hundred times, now were going to sign a guy who has been all over the league and had one good damn season to take the role that Joba is probably better for, a set up guy?
He is getting more than starter money, and he will be required to eat about one inning a game, and only games that we're winning!

Not happy, however, not mad. If this pays off, Cashman will look great. If the Yankees sheet the bed this year, and have to eat the contract of an overrated reliever, you'll be hearing more from me. Until number 28 comes around, keep choppin'

Round 3, Fight!

So much to do yet so little time.
Will Sal Aloisi put up another wall on the kick return? Will Bill Bellichek set up cameras at the Jets practice for Spygate 3.0? Will Sanchez return to his last season form as playoff road warrior?
All of these questions remain unanswered, probably for the better. All we know is this: Regardless of what happened between the Patriots and Jets during their first two meetings this season, we're now talkin' bout' playoffs!

Both teams are healthy. Brandon Spikes is back for the Patriots after serving a 4 game suspension for illegal substance abuse. The Pats have a question mark at left end and may have to squeeze in an undrafted rookie next to big Vince Wilfork.

LT and Shonne Greene looked fabulous vs the Colts and the Ground-n-Pound mentality seems to be alive again in the land of big green.
Jets beat the Steelers already this season and lost by 1 to the Ravens in the season opener. That being said, the winner of this game should represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

Scared? never. Excited? Surely. Prediction? 28-24 Jets, with a win similar to the win in Pittsburgh. High scoring in the first half followed by a tough defensive battle in the second. Game comes down to the final play where Brady heaves one up for the endzone only to be batted down by a defensive back.
Getcher popcorn ready!

WOW (weekend of wild)

A lot has happened since Friday, let us recap:
1. Jim Harbaugh signed a 5 year deal to coach the 49ers. Good luck dude.
2. The Seahawks (wtf) defeated the returning Sooba Bowl champs, Saints. Wow
3. The Jets beat the Colts late with a Nick Folk??? game winning field goal
4. Mike Vick throws the pick to end the season against the Pack. In his post game news conference, he defends his throw by saying "at least I went out swinging"
5. Rutgers Eric LeGrand is gaining sensation back in his body. Amazing
6. The Nets truly believe that they can land Carmelo Anthony in what looks like a 3 team, 15 player deal. Aint over til its over, Russian dude.
7. Ed Reed's brother kills himself, and Ed Reed continues to kill offenses (Ravens down Chiefs in an embarrassing game)

And after all that, we still have an exciting week ahead. Jets/ Pats Sunday night, Ravens/ Steelers, Seahawks/Falcons, and Packers/Bears. Oregon/Auburn tonight for the college football championship. Yankee's Brian Cashman admits the Yanks are "still looking for pitching."

Until then,

Hooz Harbaugh?

All the hoopla lately is over this Stanford coach. I get it, you had a great run under a great quarterback (Luck) and running back (Gharhart) and took an Ivy League school to a title run. Sure, sounds impressive. But let's be honest, the guy has barely proven himself in a weak Pac-10-college!-and NFL teams are willing to break rules to get this guy. We need find out more...
Boom! Thanks, wikipedia. Seems like the guy is much more of a stud than what appears to the eye. He played college football for Michigan (quarterback) and was drafted by the Bears in 87 as the number 26 pick. Looks like he played all over the league (Colts, Ravens, Chargers) which leads me to believe he was never that good.

Looks like he won the Big 10 player of the year award and was number three in Heisman votes. He is son of Jack Harbaugh (whom I have actually met) who is an all time great in Illinois high school football, and in college football (Western Kentucky). Jim's brother, John, is head football coach for the Ravens.

2002, Jim served as quarterback coach for the Raiders. He took the Stanford head coaching job in 2006.

Have a good weekend, Hoarders.

So Long (horn)

From roses to captaincy to unemployment, seems like Vince Young has come full circle. The Titans have chosen to part ways with the former number 3 pick out of Texas in order to retain some kind of order in the locker room, led by coach Jeff Fisher. After outspoken owner Bud Adams made it clear that "VY is my guy," it seems as if this decision is final.
This came as somewhat of a shock to most, considering Young's strong on field performances. His record as a starter is 30-17, and I am sure that he has sold a lot of powder blue jerseys.
So, we ask, what was the real reason for this unexpected departure? Was it the strip club brawl last offseason? Perhaps the report that young threw his shoulder pads into the home field stands, flipped the bird to the fans, and stormed out of a team meeting?
Regardless, this comes down to the simple question. Do you want your team to be more like the Patriots (cutting away anyone who has a bit of trouble written on them-See Randy Moss) or more like the Bengals (willing to sign anyone who has talent, regardless of legal issues).
Whatever happens from this, whether Young will be the next 49ers quartback, or he gets himself into even further trouble-see Jamarcus Russel- lets not forget the godgiven talent that Vincanity has shown us:

Rumor Central

Found a great website from a coworker today that offered up to date baseball rumors. Got me thinking- what were some of the best sports rumors in our day? Was it the Sosa corked bat? Was it the Tony Parker doing the dirty with Rick Barry's wife? Let's take a look at some bs rumors:

1. The "Madden Curse": OK, let's be honest, it's fun to play along with this idea, but in all reality, its a joke. A curse? Who are we, the dirtbag 04' Sox? Normally the cover is home to a high profile running back or quarterback (09 was the exception with Troy Palamalu and Larry Fitzgerald) who normally get a hell of a beating. The life expectancy of a NFL running back is probably about 3 years anyway. It's football; people get hurt. I'd rather be a hurt megastar/cover boy than a healthy Bobby Carpenter any day. 

2. Wilt Chamberlain's dog pound: From his book "A View from Above," readers got the absurd inside look at Will's infatuation with women. He claimed to have sex with about 20,000 women in his life. After doing the math, that would have required Will to bone about 1.4 women a day from the age of 15 until the year the book was written. While I do believe be probably got a ton of tail, two things make this a rumor: At 15, you're not a pro yet. Therefore, you're not getting the "pro pals." Also, I doubt anyone can get it up to 4/10 of a woman.

3. David Stern's "decision": If you are unfamiliar with this rumor, it truly is a great one to check out. During the 1985 NBA draft, David Stern was spinning the good ol' bingo wheel to pick out the envelopes of NBA teams who were in the lottery. Most argue that Stern, a NYC native and self proclaimed Knick fan, knew that the success of the NBA at that time required the big market New York City to be flooded with pro basketball. People "know" that Stern froze the envelope prior to the choosing, therefore leaving the Knicks with the number one pick, allowing them to take Patrick Ewing. Thanks to MJ- Karma is a beech.


 

Rather be bowling

The barely anticipated college football postseason is finally here. The BCS seems to be compiled of a room full of number crunching ass hats, thus leaving America with confusion about how the standings are created. RPI, strength of schedule, non-bcs conference: all of that means mumbo jumbo to me, and sheet, I'm a sports fan. All we can derive from the bowl season is that we need playoffs. Every single other sport except for college football has a playoff system. It just seems odd to me that UConn gets to play Oklahoma for a backdoor buttbuster while Stanford, a much better team, gets to show off their skills against a weaker opponent.
What am I getting at here? No, I am not just pleading my case for a playoff system. Rather, I want to highlight what are my top 5 favorite (ironically, also the most embarrassing) bowl games:

1. The Beef O' Brady's Bowl: Who, or rather, what the hell is Beef O' Brady? It can either be a really sheedie canned meat concoction, or it can be a really wealthy Irish drunk. Either or, yikes

2. The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsetta Bowl: Yup, that's what it says. I mean, who wouldn't want to play for the pride of not just a city, not just a city and a bank, but a city, a bank, and a holiday flower?

3. Little Caesars Pizza Bowl: Now this sounds like something that should be featured on the menu, not a  football title. Last I checked the only place they sell Little Caesars pizza is inside of K-marts. Probably the same place where you can buy a replica pizza bowl trophy.

4. Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Whats up with the food bowls? I mean, Chick-Fil-A? What the crap is that. If I am going to be putting my heart out on the field for some food, make it something enjoyable like a cheesesteak or a chef special sushi roll. chick-fil-a? C-r-a-p!

5. Last but not least, the Sun Bowl: Though it’s now sponsored by Hyundai, I’m positively enamored with the Sun Bowl’s older sponsor, Brut cologne. Hyundai is a company made to fail. Imagine strapping up, putting on the eye black, and running out onto the field to shake hands with the CEO of Hyundai? Thats like the best of the worst.

Playoffs?!

Sprinkle some ground pepper and sea salt on it, cuz the regular season is done. Fantasy football fanatics can shut their mouths, and Giants fans can look forward to next year when Eli Manning will continue to produce turnovers at a shockingly high rate. Oh, and their running backs can keep giving up the ball too.
So, that leaves us in week 17, the start of the 2010-11 NFL Playoffs.
Saturday, January 8.
Jets @. Colts: We've seen this one before. Rewind back to the AFC Championship from a year ago. Sanchez led a wonderful first half, while Peyton drew up one of his classic comeback performances. The Jets have added to both sides of the ball, while the Colts have lost on both sides. Sure, Joseph Addai and Donald Brown may be healthy, but they won't be as healthy as the Jet's defense. Prediction: 24-13 Jets.
Saints @. Seahawks: The Seahawks were a losing team this season, which doesn't help their chances at beating the returning champs. Sure, Brees has thrown too many interceptions this year, but that's fine. With a healthy Reggie and a Nawlins' swagger, the Saints roll through this one easily. 38-10 Saints
Sunday, January 9.
Ravens @ Cheifs: The griddy no good smash mouth defense goes head to head with the pretty boy image of Matt Cassel and fat Charlie "Florida has better burgers" Weis. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed want it more than ever, and I think the luck of the Cheifs is about to run out. Close game during the first half, but that scary Ravens defense will prove too much to handle. 17-14 Ravens
Packers @ Eagles: This will be the marquee game of the weekend. Sure, the Packers snuck in, but they have been one of the better teams all season. A healthy Rodgers will outplay a lately-shaky Vick. Upset of the weekend. Vick can't recognize blitz packages, and Clay Matthews brings it better than anybody. High scoring game, in favor of the Pack. 38-34 Packers