Is Armstrong's dreams of seeing 8 slipping away?

Yesterday's Stage 15 of the Tour De France left me disappointed as Lance Armstrong fell victim of his own teammate, Spaniard Alberto Contador take charge of the tour.

At the same time, ended the speculation about who really is the true leader of Team Astana; Armstrong or Contador?

Advantage Contador, now that he's wearing the Yellow jersey with a 1:37 advantage. (In cycling, that's a pretty long time.) His victory salute said it all [pictured]; bump to his chest, straighten out the arm and hand shaped like a pistol, then fire. Did that action just shatter Lance's quest at 8? Or is that for the time being?

"[Alberto] showed he was the best in the race and clearly the best climber [after Stage 15]," said Lance. "I'm proud of him; he rode great. That's how you win the Tour de France."

Wait, what? That really sounds like he's just conceding to him. Pisses me off how everyone back here's rooting for him and then all of a sudden it's like, "Eh, whatever, he won it, it's cool, no big." There's now 5 stages left with the whole tour finishing up on the 26th.

I know Lance is being a consummate team player in every step of the way, but is too much a killer on your own part? Like I stated earlier, he's behind his teammate Contador by a 1 minute, 37 seconds (2nd overall), and that's a whole lot harder when it has to be your own comrade.

To win, I'm guessing he's got to dig stuff from inside like back in his days in '04-'05, or be the backstabbing teammate and go for the win. I don't support that, but if you came back for your eighth TDF title, then something's got to give.

Vick's Released; Where To Now?

Yep, Micheal Vick's finally free. Completely out of house arrest.

But do you think PETA's going to stop jabbing him? Nope. What Vick has to do now is hit his message home to all the neighborhoods involved in like dogfighting, crime, things of that nature, and talk to the people involved.

The adults his age, men and women, (Yes, there are women involved; let's be real here; can't discriminate.) even young kids as well are up to no good doing all this nonsense.

Doing that would really give in a good word to the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell, who's practically the strictest out of all the major sport commissioners. (NBA, NHL, MLB; though David Stern has his moments.) Look, he's already faced the fact that he's now where he's at now; bankrupt and all that, he's served his time, so why not give him the second chance he deserves?

Aren't we all entitled for a second chance? Last time I checked, we are, so I'm really hoping the commish can think about that. I'm sure he is, but he just wants Vick to show and prove himself to the community and the league itself that he is capable of being a true professional back in the spotlight.

Where the league's eye will watch him like a hawk. That space between him and the 'microscope' over his head is wearing thin.

"Marty B": Black Olympics; Chicken, Kool-Aid™, & 'Melons

Back when Martellus Bennett, aka "Marty B" was in college playing for Texas A&M, a newspaper columnist said that he had more rememberable quotes then he did catches.


From this proof of video, it's plain to see that the guy's right. Hoping he can be known for making more catches & TDs than his mouth always opening up and fooling around. We don't need another T.O., his off-the-field antic's side, on this team. That's why he's gone.


And that's why he's in Buffalo without an actual house to live in. The neighbors around the area of the house he was wanting to purchase heard about him wanting to call that neighborhood home.


Unfortunately by way of the realtor who was negotiating with T.O. His personality and past with other teams and teammates (Most notably QBs) in the NFL's like a shadow; it's not going away and it led to those people seeing it first-hand.


Us regular folks don't want any T.O. in our neck of the woods. And as for Martellus; do what you need to do to help the team win instead of humiliating yourself. Never know if your last chance might surface and you'll have plenty of more time than just the offseason goofing off. Not saying he shouldn't do this, but he should respect himself and the team. If you wanted to do that, why not be a stand-up comic? That way you wouldn't have to be $22,000 lighter in the pocket like your other antic while back. This is just embarrasing for African-Americans everywhere. It just so happens to be those few who fail to recognize their roots and have a common idea that there aren't any more excuses.


A real ambassador of the NFL shouldn't act like this one bit.

What happens when you dump a starlet.

Tony Romo: Product Spokesman from Tony Romo

He's moved on; guess he knows how to take a shot and go on about his business by laughing it off.


Good move, Tony.


Though a bad move at the same time; you dump Jessica right before her 29th birthday. No "friend" points there.

The Magic apparently saw what the Mavs see in Gortat

Never would've thought that the Magic would actually match the offer sheet that Dallas offered Marcin Gortat.


That other time when I mentioned he was getting a 5 yr. deal worth $34M, didn't know that the Magic were that desperate for a talent like Gortat; hey, maybe I'm wrong, and maybe Orlando was wrong as well giving him up in the first place.


The Magic weren't probably getting anywhere with trying to grab a person to fill for Gortat's abrupt absence with the team, so their next idea was pretty much, 'Hey, we need Marcin back!'


And of course, the Mavs were glad to oblige.

Mavs are actually awake during free agency; sign Marion, Gortat, and Ross

Out with the old, in with the new, as they say.


Finally got rid of one of the "suit" guys that would always sit on the bench; the guy I'm talking about is 14-year vet Jerry Stackhouse.


Sure, he's had his nights where he'd really help the team out, but I don't think you really help the team much by being an enabler; sitting on the bench, not willing to go out on the court and give it what you got, nursing some injury you'd had for like so long, oh and of course, milking the cow, not earning the cash out on the court instead you're getting paid by just looking good in a suit. Stephon Marbury, anyone?


That's not contributing to points for us on the board.


Well that was good riddance; Mavs trade him to the Grizzles and now Memphis cuts him just after a day or so being acquired. One man's trash, is another man's...trash, I guess? Retirement shouldn't be too far in his future, I don't think.


Dallas was involved in a 4-team, 8-player trade with the Mavs receiving former Phoenix Suns' star Shawn Marion, Kris Humphries and Nathan Jawai (???) all from Toronto and then as well we welcome 2-time former Maverick Greg Buckner from Memphis. The Mavs also signed a point guard from the Grizz, former SMU product Quintin Ross.

(I don't know if you'd want to come back to a team that has let you go twice and you'd come back; it's a business, though; wherever the money's at, take the chance.)


Our first free agency splash [or trickle] was Marcin Gortat [MAR-chean GOR-tat], a 6'11" center from Orlando; guy hardly did a dang thing out in the court to aid the Magic in the finals this past season, so who'd want that kind of player?


The Mavericks, duh.


"We’re ecstatic to add a player of this caliber, experience and athleticism. We feel that this gives us a really good opportunity to compete with the best of the West.” - Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson

"He's athletic, and we think he's a guy who is pretty skilled who can really help us, he brings toughness, dynamic athleticism and a different personality to our team. Statistically, I don't know how all that stuff is going to translate." Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. [Lines 50-55]

He goes on to say, "But we feel he's a damn good player. He's a running big man, and we've got maybe the best passing point guard of all time [J.Kidd]. So he fits."


Really? He's not all THAT; hardly been in the NBA, matter of fact, this is his first year. He started out with a team in the D-League after being drafted by the Suns in '05. So where's the big-time experience or any athleticism? He practically is like a imitation of Shawn Bradley. Wasn't mobile in my eyes when I'd see him come in for Dwight Howard in the finals. After Carlisle's quote he later says that the signing isn't off of his lack-luster performance in the finals.


Good save, Coach.


He's eons away from being worth 5 years, $34 million. I'll tell you that. I can't blame the Magic for not wanting to even touch that offer to keep him.


Hey Mavs. Mr. Donnie Nelson and Mr. Rick Carlisle. Prove me and the Dallas faithful wrong. Because for right now, the proof is in the pudding.


As for the players we give up; Devean George, Antione Wright to the Raptors. The team also lost Brandon Bass to the Orlando Magic; I'm guessing the Mavs have about a week to match the offer the Magic gave Bass in order to retain him. Basically, I'm concerned about what the Mavs get, but all in all, if we still have my man Dirk, it's all good.


Just in case the team improves and is on their way towards a championship run in the postseason, I'm all for it. Pretty sure a lot of other Mav fans are, as well.

Michael Jackson Memorial @ Staples Center in LA

That memorial; there are no words.

I didn't cry or anything around the beginning, not until one of my MANY favorite songs from Michael, "Heal The World" came on, with everybody and their mom was there; literally.

I cried my ass off singing that song; then what really capped it off was MJ's daughter Paris went up and said her respects for her late dad. That was something special. I really hope those kids stay with the Jackson family because it's quite evident from the memorial earlier today that they don't belong anywhere else but with them.

R.I.P. Michael Joseph Jackson; you'll live on forever and ever.

Lance's Quest for 8 has begun

Well this is it.


No, not a potential MJ comeback, [No pun intended; R.I.P.] but I'm talking about Armstrong; Lance Armstrong. He's going for his 8th and probably final title in the Tour De France. Has already had 7 in-a-row going for him.


You guys have already known the tremendous obstacles that he's already conquered and surpassed:

Cancer.

Media allegations over rumors about taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Life after retirement.

The tour, itself.


The new ad for Nike that he's in has him talking about how he's not racing and coming back for all the 'nay'-sayers and the rest of the skeptics and critics alike; he's back because of the people that drive him that much more to be glad and thankful for what he's able to do now that he's cancer free. At the same time, raising awareness to his LiveSTRONG foundation.


As of today, Lance is now 3rd overall; rising from 10th off of the initial stage of the Tour, the individual time trial. Hoping he actually does pull it out and bring another one to the Lone Star State.

R.I.P. 'Air McNair' -- Steve McNair gone at 36

This was just unbelievable once I heard the news. After just about more than a week after the late great Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, and as well as notorious TV pitchman Billy Mays pass, another distinguishable figure has left us.

Steve McNair, former long-time Tennessee Oiler now present-day Titans and Baltimore Raven, was found shot to death in his apartment in Nashville; shot four times. His body was with another accomplice, a 20-year-old woman who worked at a local Dave & Buster's restaurant; suffered a single gunshot to the head while the gun was near her own body.

Now with a single shot to herself and multiple gunshots to Steve McNair, while the gun's near the woman's body, to me, that sounds like a homicide/suicide. Which is pretty sad. That woman's sounds like nothing but trouble; she was arrested earlier in the week for DUI. McNair's wife wasn't around at the time of the shooting; was in another state other than Tennessee.

First heard about the news just when I got out of the shower getting ready for a family barbecue for the 4th, and tune in on ESPN and there it was in black and white. Wouldn't ever thought that he'd go down like that.

McNair recently retired from the 2007-'08 campaign of the NFL and he came off of pro football's map as being one the best competitors in the game to date. He most certainly had taken his part of the blows, hits and injuries during his 13 years in the league.

Attended Alcorn State University, a HBC [Historic Black College] settled in Lorman, Mississippi. (actually spelled it right the first time. Hah.) There is when his famous nickname 'Air McNair' stuck with him whenever he was in a spread formation and he'd not just have a rocket of an arm but he could run all over you with his legs. Something that's well known with quarterbacks like Vince Young, David Garrard, Michael Vick, as well as others.

3-time Pro Bowler; 1-time Co-MVP with Peyton Manning in '03; became the third QB to throw for 30,000+ yards as well as run for 3,500+ yards [Fran Tarkenton and Steve Young]; led the Tennessee Titans to Superbowl XXXIV with nearly winning the whole thing if Kevin Dyson wasn't a yard away.

He was survived by his wife and four kids. Respected by his teammates and peers alike. A true seasoned vet who really knew what the definition of toughness was all about. He'll certainly be missed.

Shock The World: US Soccer

US soccer. WOW.


Coming oh so far with disappointing showings in the beginning of the Confederation Cup for FIFA; then waking up with a 3-0 win against Egypt and a 2-0 win vs. the #1 ranked team in the world Spain.


So then that means that US has to face a Brazil team that defeated the good guys 3-0 in the preliminary rounds of the tournament.


Brazil had they're ticket punched to the final as they beat the World Cup home country favorite South Africa 1-0 after getting a free kick last-minute goal to seal the deal.


But as for the final.


You guys had it. Against practically the best team in the world, they were up 2-0 but let it all go away in the second half with Brazil pretty much wrapping up the game with 3 unanswered goals.


3-2 in Brazil's favor. Gosh that close...I really felt for Nacogdoches' own Clint Dempsey when he cried; guy had a goal in the last 3 games including this one.


Well, they gave it they're all up to the very end. It's okay, for now, but this time next year's the World Cup; can't dog out and slip then.

Away from the sports world...R.I.P. MJ & Farrah

This is some really sad stuff; hate to have two of entertainment's most biggest stars/icons pass on the same day; "King of Pop"™ Micheal Jackson and former Charlie's Angels™ starlet, Corpus Christi and UT's own, Farrah Fawcett.


Cancer had to take another life away. Sad to have that happen to Farrah; I remember watching the special doc. of her on tv about roughly a month ago. And now it all came to an unfortunate end. May she rest in peace.


And for MJ; man, man, oh man. He was a "bad" man. A "smooth criminal" to the rest of the artists on the charts. A "thriller" of a man who you'd listen to over, over, and over...


"If they said that all the kids in the world died, I'd jump off the balcony and end my life." [Not word-for-word, but along the lines.]


He's practically larger than life, He is amazing. They're pretty much not enough words to express his talent and contributions in the world as well as the passionate fans he's had like I ever since the Jackson 5, "Off the Wall", "Thriller", "Bad", and so on. I have so many songs I love from him that I truly cannot pick out a sole favorite. I listened to his music pretty much throughout the past two days. Watched a DVD we own with the music videos that made Jackson who he is...and who is was...Me and my dad along with my uncle, we went to like Best Buy to look at laptops for myself for school, and we were just playing around to see if they had any Michael Jackson stuff; CDs, DVDs, whatever.


They didn't. ha. lol. Fry's, as well. [Also saw my buddy Edith at Best Buy; good to see her there.]


I also will remember where I was when I first heard the news of his passing. I was with my dad and we were just crusin' 'round like we'd do whenever he's off, and we were just coming from the Irving Mall, and we were listening to his [Michael's] music on 105.7...At the stop light on the corner of Beltline and Northgate heading home...I then thought that, "Hey, what's the occassion? Why are they playing his songs consecutively and such?"


Then after the song, the DJ says, "Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50."


Totally blew my mind and it just let me down, big time; just after waking up to hear that Farrah passed on, Michael did just the same later in the day.


People should just stop talking about the allegations of the kids and all that right now, b/c you know you wouldn't someone to talk about you once you pass, reflecting upon the things you've had mistakes at. Go and talk about the greatness and how he's a paragon in music and to other fellow artists that most of us all listen to. Michael Jackson, you'll be missed by everyone.


Another thing; the media should really express equally the lives of both MJ and Farrah Fawcett; great American icons that we cherish. I say this b/c of the enormity of attention to Jackson; of course, we ALL know why it's like the way it is, but really, they should equally reflect the lives of both. Me myself, I do not favor someone than the other, no matter who it is, and so it just bugged me a little while watching the news. Just sayin'.

Texas actually wasn't the "Team of Destiny"

Sorry about the month or so hiatus on here...really been busy just, well, watching sports and/or taking care of business:


Graduating high school. [Irving-MacArthur High, Class of '09]


But now on to the nature at hand.


UT pissed me off tonight.


Seemed like the "best pitching staff in baseball" couldn't get it done as they fall to LSU, 11-4.


Really?


And what really pissed me off is whenever Texas had LSU on 2 outs and then all of a sudden the pitcher wants to shy away from the strike zone letting those batters get on base.


I don't know, but makes me think that 25-Inning win vs. Boston College earlier in the season look like a fluke. Now, now, hold on there, yes that's a feat in itself to come out on top and last that long to win 2-1, but I mean, kinda speechless; other than actually yelling out expletives.


And this same Texas team that had to lose due to poor pitching the first game of the CWS Championship Series, they came firing back in Game 2, going with Taylor Jungmann [YOUNG-mann] throughout the whole game.


And he did it with style.


Though they sure didn't have any style this game; really thought ya'll had it in ya. Better luck next year, I guess. Really not trying to kick them to the curve, but could you really finish what you started?


So that you wouldn't be the next day's topic of foolery at the water cooler.

Dirk's 44 keeps Mavs hopes alive

Hey Denver, time to put away those brooms, 'cause there isn't going to be no sweep around Dallas.


The Mavs, lead by no other than Dirk Nowitzki, came through in style as they rallied to win against the Nuggets 119-117.


Dirk was amazing; carrying the team on his back like he usually does, most especially in this series. 44 points; 19 of them coming from the 4th alone. That's a big difference from what he's been putting out in the last quarter of play in the past games this round. He's really coming into his own, and might I add, he showed a couple glimpses of defense.


What also fascinated me was the way he was attacking the basket. Now if you haven't already known or figured out, but Dirk's typically not the type of player that would slash his way to the basket like a Josh Howard would do, but he has made do with what he has; 7-foot, 245 pound frame coming at you. That should be something others can be frightened of.


There's also a stereotype that most Europeans that are in the NBA are known not to be hard nose, but to be soft; a frail piece of imported cardboard holding a leather orange ball. Which I think is right, sorry to say. I mean, most of the Euros that would play the game of basketball are always lengthy, tall and lean; wouldn't seem like they've got a lot of meat on them or look like much but they'd shoot the living daylights out of you.


The perfect specimen: Dirk Nowitzki. The patented sick fadeaway of his = flat out money.


He pretty much stands out alone as arguably THE [Notice the all caps.] best premier jump shooter coming from foreign soil. Does a lot of stuff many people his size cannot do.


He's one of my idols and I'm just glad he's on our team; I expect more of the same again with Dirk as we fight to stay alive vs. the dreaded Nuggets.


The Mavs just need to stay clear from the "thugs" out on the court. We don't need any of that nonsense. Hah.

Blatant Foul Downs the Mavs 3-0

I really want to make this post G-rated.


Kinda hard to do when the Mavericks really got sandbagged by the referees this evening.


They are literally between a rock and a hard place now.


I mean it was clearly a foul; Carmelo had the arm out and pushed Mavs' Antoine Wright while the ref was right on the scene. Though I heard the analyst say that Dallas had a foul to give, making a point how Wright was probably wanting to foul Anthony; making Denver needing to reset from the sideline.


Déjà vu all over again; 2006, anyone?


Dirk was his usual self. 33 and 16. I know he's going to do his thing. Even when there was all this ruckus about the whole girlfriend hanging around his house and stuff. Felt bad for Dirk, because he's not the type to have his personal life all out there like another guy we all know in Dallas. (No knock on him, though.)


He still needs more from his team, Dirk does. Almost got it done, but almost doesn't count (Thanks Brandy), along with fouls here and there; left and right.


It's 3-0; don't know how they're going to do it now. It's not a fair fight when you have to battle the opposing team and also the dang refs.

Cowboys' Facility in Shambles

May 2, 2009; around 3:30 local time (central).

The Dallas Cowboys indoor facility, located at Valley Ranch, is now history.

2003-2009; we hardly knew thee.

Weather was terrible around the area; bad rain along with gusty winds and thunderstorms were scattered throughout, so practically everywhere was wet and ugly. Around the time the news broke, I just finished watching Pros vs. Joes on Spike TV.

Very entertaining, by the way.

Anyway, so that episode was over and I was flipping through the television, seeing what was on or whatever, (I mean c’mon, it’s Saturday.) then I click onto the local news.

Once I saw the breaking news about the whole fiasco at Valley Ranch, I felt terribly bad; did someone get trapped? Hurt?

Killed?

I'm now glued to the set, wanting to know as much as possible to see if everyone’s alright and stuff. My sympathy side came over me that moment. Not just that, but my personal chauvinism of the Cowboys. I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone, because if I was in that moment, it’d suck, which is clearly an understatement.

I’m now going back and forth through FOX 4, channel 8 (WFAA), CBS 11*; pretty much any channel that was covering the news over at Valley Ranch. [*first saw the story there.]

Steve Dennis, a CBS 11 sports analyst and also “Radio Boy” on 103.3 ESPN FM was speaking from “ground zero”, if you will, and he said that he was called out to come inside the facility while he was in the news truck editing video. So basically he was lucky not to have been in the bubble in the first place.

The Cowboys were just about wrapped up with their second day of rookie training camp, among the players was former Texas A&M QB Stephen McGee; McGee played most of the ’08-’09 season as a backup when Jerrod Johnson; a guy that pretty much came out of nowhere; a 6’5”, 229 lb. red-shirt sophomore was practically thrown into the pack of wolves to get implemented to the college scene.

Back to the story; all of the players were accounted for (a phrase that was cliché by the end of the day.) along with the coaching staff. Both players and coaches including head coach (Don’t know how long we can be calling him that.) Wade Phillips and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett were helping out victims that were in distress. Though a few people did not get away unscaved by the collapse.

Joe DeCamillis, 43, the new special teams’ coach that was brought in from Jacksonville, suffered a fractured vertebrae; had surgery and is now out of the hospital; he suffered no paralysis.

But for another aide in the Cowboys’ personnel, he, unfortunately is.

Rich Behm, 33, who is one of the Cowboys scouts is accounted for paralysis from the waist down after suffering a similar injury as DeCamillis. There is a trust fund under his name where people can help out the Behm family after now what has happened to the man of their household. In all, 12 people were injured.

This shows how life truly is a fragile piece of work.

So where’s the big bossman in all of this?

Jerry Jones was actually at the Kentucky Derby.

Yes, the Kentucky Derby; one of the most storied and followed sporting events in modern civilization; guess he was there to be seen; maybe he’s a betting man, I don’t know. With the money he has, I think he could dip his toes into a little horse race. He truly is a betting man once it comes to signing a player and not knowing what you’re getting in return.

“Ah, but don’t hold that against me.” [*Jerry Jones’ accent.*]

I was wondering where he was in the whole thick of things; though he was properly informed by his people here about what has gone down; literally. And he showed some of his concern as he was interviewed by renowned sportscaster Bob Costas.

Another person that was hurt was an assistant athletic trainer Greg Gaither, who sustained a broken leg. He too has gone through surgery as well.

Now the news is that the company that has built the Cowboys indoor facility has come out to say that they have built 3 other similar structures. It now leaves the Cowboys to finish up rookie mini-camp at local high school grounds.

ALL of which have come down since the Cowboys got there so called “bubble” in ’03. They have also had to replace the facility last year, though the repairs then were never inspected, when it’s actually required by law in Irving.

Those people are the real losers in this story. Not the ‘Boys, and not the City of Irving, either.