REMEMBERING #22 by ST

Really heartbroken upon logging on today and learning about the death of Dave Duerson. He formed half of the great safety tandem of the unforgettable 85 Bears with Gary Fencik. Certainly we've seen as talented a duet, but never a harder hitting pair. He left Chicago after the 89 season and was a nickel back on the 90 Super Bowl winning Giants joining Myron Guyton and Greg Jackson at the safety position. Definitely putting a damper on the weekend. Guy was just 50 years old.
I've noticed a national obsession with Brooklyn Decker. How embarassing would it be if you joined like 475 other guys hiding in the bushes outside her place? Is that technically stalking? From Brian Kenny's show last night, to the morning show on ESPN to Howard Eskin filling in for Dan Patrick as I'm writing this, she's been more than casually mentioned. If you know your mythology, it was Helen of Troy whose beauty was so captivating that upon her abduction by Paris, the Trojan War was initiated. From that point forward we had the phrase "The Face that Launched a Thousand Ships". In the event she's kidnapped, I'm not waiting for Andy Roddick, I'm setting sail.
Ducks and Beavs in the hardwood version of the Civil War tomorrow at 1pm at the Matt. With the Thursday results, Cats over Cougs, Dawgs top ASU, Uclans hold off Stanford and SC nips Cal, here's the lowdown. If the chips fall right and Oregon wins along with Wazzou falling at Tempe, they'd be no worse than a tie for 4th.
I hope you had a chance to catch Bruins/Cardinal last night on Fox Sports Net. Ernie Kent provided the color commentary. He's really good. Did an excellent job setting the stage the final 5 minutes of how Stanford could get back in the game. They applied pressure to a UCLA offense subject to mistakes, they hit their open shots and fouled the right guys and nearly overcame a double digit lead. I'd be he's jonesing to get back into coaching, but I'm really enjoying his broadcasting work.

NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES by ST

When I was younger I didn't get it. In my 20's I got angry and vented. Now I just shake my head in disappoinment. It's all in reaction to when fans, media members, players or coaches react in a manner that should never be associated with sports. I think back to the Spotted Owl controversy in Oregon. To send a message, some slimebag shot an owl and while still alive, stuffed it in a sack to be found on a fence. That darned owl was obviously spearheading the movement for protection in the legislature. Police in Auburn have arrested a moron in connection with poisoning oak trees at historic Toomer's Corner at the University. It's where the Tigers celebrate big victories like the Iron Bowl against Alabama. This putz is 62 years old and even called a radio show to claim/brag about what he did. It's likely the 130 year old trees will die. His name is Harvey Almorn Updyke Jr. He signed off after calling the Paul Finebaum show with "Roll Damn Tide". Talk about a waste of skin.
Today(Thur), I also read about Joel Northrup, a high school wrestler in Iowa. He defaulted away his first round match in the state tournament rather than face one of the 1st girls ever to qualify! Said it was a matter of conscience and his faith to not "engage" a girl in this manner. The young woman, Cassy Herkelman had a 20 & 13 record so had managed to survive 33 matches. She and another girl became the first females to qualify for this state tournament that started in 1926. Really? 2011 and this neanderthal mentality still has firm roots? I guess some still feel girls have "cooties".
I've been one of those not overly concerned about the Lakers. Sure, it's only February but now they've lost to the Cavaliers. They began this 7 game road trip heading into the All Star break winning their 1st four including a lockdown defensive performance at Boston. Now they've lost 3 in a row, the previous 2 by 14 at Orlando and the 20 point embarassment in Charlotte. This break is coming at a great time for the champs.
Have to send out a major "RIP" to Len Lesser who was known to most for his hysterical portrayal of Uncle Leo on "Seinfeld". Also did a pretty funny turn on "Everyone Loves Raymond" as a friend of Ray's dad played by the late, great Peter Boyle. Always feel something's lost when someone who always made us laugh passes.

EASY ANSWERS? by ST

We live in a very melodramatic society. Because of the 24/7 cycle along with blogging, tweeting, facebook, radio and all the forms of communication, each scenario dealing with a particular issue is played out. Right now we won't have a 2011 NFL season, Albert Pujols is leaving the Cardinals and the NBA will be locked out next year as well. Plus you can lock in Ohio State, Texas, Kansas and Pitt as the top seeds in the fast approaching NCAA Tournament. I can't imagine the chucklehead owners and players will actually risk vaporizing the golden goose in pro football. No way. Not gonna happen. Make your plans for the 2nd Sunday in September, we will have a full slate of NFL games. Pujols and his frisbee headed agent can threaten deadlines and do all the posturing they want. No one is giving him 10 years. Those days are gone. Once the Cards step up with the Arod dollars on an annual basis for 5-6 years, he's not leaving the arch. I do think losing all or part of the next NBA season is a reality. Way too many teams are struggling financially and from what I've read, most sharp & reasonable people are on board with possibly contracting franchises. There needs to be a monetary restructuring of the league. If we've learned anything about the magnficence of March Madness it's assume nothing. The Buckeyes look capable of winning the whole shooting match but have a difficult test Sunday at Purdue along with potential landmines versus Illinois next Tuesday and the closer against the only team to take them down this year, Wisconsin. It appears the only barrier for the Longhorns over their last 6 regular season games is Kansas State at Austin the last day of February. Kansas ends the Big 12 regular season at Missouri who remains dangerous as a top 20 team. As for Pitt, they play in the best conference in America and are going without top scorer Ashton Gibbs, though they looked sharp shorthanded in winning at Villanova last Saturday. They still have a trip to play the Johnnies in Manhattan along with difficult matchups with West Virginia, @Louisville and they wrap with Nova. I'd be stunned if all 4 of these teams were able to successfully navigate the next 3 weeks unscathed. As questioned at the top, some of these are no-brainers, others, not so much!

THE I THINK NOT SEAT by ST

The Trailblazers just tore up the Timberwolves last night running their record to 31 & 24. A year ago after 55 games you know what their record was??? 31 & 24. At this time last February after learning Greg Oden was again done and Joel Pryzbilla wrecked his knee they acquired Marcus Camby to fill the hole in the middle. After the all star break Portland played exceptional ball going 19 & 8 to finish the year with 50 wins. Brandon Roy, however, was hobbled and they were sent packing in the 1st round of the playoffs by the Suns in 6 games. The fact remains this franchise has failed to move on in the post season since losing game 7 of the West Finals to the Lakers 11 years ago. It's understandable for the brass to be getting a bit itchy, but talk of head coach Nate McMillian being on the hot seat seems unreasonable. I actually can't wait to see what happens when Roy and Camby return. A couple weeks back some were ready to throw in the towel as they were struggling to keep ahead of Memphis for that 8th and final playoff spot. Now they've passed denver and caught Utah for 6th in the West and are within a game and a half of New Orleans at 5. The heat was getting turned up on GM Rich Cho to perhaps make a move by the February 24th trade deadline. Now it just seems foolish. See what happens when the wounded return, gauge their health and deal from a position of knowledge and strength. Gotta say, I really like watching this team play. LeMarcus Aldridge has crammed it down the throats of everyone(self included) who felt he wasn't worthy of being an all star. I thought Blake Griffen and Kevin Love were a tad more worthy. No one in the league is playing "better" than L.A right now. Some are his equal, but he's jacked his performance up to 11! Wes Matthews struggled a bit in the wins against the Bulls and Raps last week but has exploded for 23 & 26 over his last two and for the most part has been one of the top acquisitions by anyone during this past off season. Stay tuned. This is a fun team to follow.

SURVIVING AND THE NEW BOREDOM by ST

First weekend with no football and no hope of football since Labor Day. Thanks for hoops, some golf, some horse racing, baseball approaching and getting the house cleaned. I'm also officially annoyed by the high school guy getting national attention for covering his head. It once was a cute novelty, now it's old and boring. Let's tie it in to the NFL draft pick getting 40 mil in guaranteed dollars. The high school kid hasn't even gone to prom yet and now we need network cameras so he can pick out a hat. Booooo!
How bout them Duckie hoopers? Very solid win at USC. What impressed me the most was they hit one of those awful offensive droughts and survived with effort and great defense. In the first half Joevan Catron hit a lay in with just over 9 minutes left. They missed their next 14 shots until a Singler three and Oregon managed to make it to the locker room with a 6 point edge. A huge key was even though the double digit lead dwindled, it never reached a point of being one possession. They always had an answer. I thought Brandon Granville, a former Trojan providing color commentary on Prime Ticket in So Cal made a gutty call. Said at times it appeared the Ducks just wanted it more. The balanced scoring was also critical. 8 different Ducks scored at least 4 points with Malcolm Armstead setting the pace with 14. Just as impressive, the perpetually undersized Ducks outboarded the Trojans 34-28. That many get back to the Granville analysis.
On today's shows, a few thoughts about the earth catching up while Tiger was injured and wrecking his personal life. The continued resiliency of the Blazers. Why I'm thinking it will be a lot more fun to be a baseball rather than a Yankee fan this season. Plus we'll talk a ton of college hoops. Happy Valentine's Day!

ALTERED PERCEPTION by ST

Prior to the start of the season for the Oregon men hoopers I was not brimming with anticipation. Losses to San Jose State, Idaho and the 1st four in league did little to change that. I figured the win over USC to open the new arena was emotion fueled but seeing how tough they played a pretty good UCLA team 2 nights later started to open my eyes a tad. Of course they won 4 of the next 5 and many, self included, realized we had a season to root for and follow with a certain level of optimism. See if you share this sentiment. Six weeks ago I would have viewed a gritty, close loss at Pauley Pavillion to the Bruins as one of those moral victories. Last night I'm screaming at the TV to make a stop or hit a shot. The Ducks played the 2nd place team in the Pac 10 on the road pretty even but didn't execute with the money on the table. I was ticked they lost. Dana Altman made it clear early on that there were no quality losses and he's here to win and he means NOW! More power to him. Even though his minutes were limited, I'm hoping it was a good sign Jeremy Jacob was out there, albeit for just 9 minutes. He's 6'8" and could be a key big in that Oregon rotation. Here's hoping that knee allows him to contribute down the stretch. USC tomorrow at the Galen Center. Remember the Ducks beat them by 6, but almost blew a 20 point lead. Joevan Catron didn't play, so you've got to like their chances!
I was reading with much amusement that Federal Prosecutors have sliced the number of pending felonies against Barry the Baloonhead Bonds from 11 to 5. I'm not a legal expert but it seems 5 felonies is still alot! I don't think he'll ever do jail time but will take pleasure in having it on the record he lied about taking steroids or performance enhancing drugs. Maybe that will knock such an arrogant D-bag down a couple of pegs.

HOOPING IT UP by ST

With the Super Bowl in the rear view mirror and the NFL Labor talks too depressing, it's all about basketball right now. Loving the fact the Ducks have meaningful games in February and are clearly in the mix to make a run at playing above .500 ball and qualifying for the N.I.T. I know, I know, why not dream the dream and envision a run to the Pac 10 Championship and an automatic birth in the Big Dance. Feel free to think big. I'm focused on this 7:30 tip at Pauley against the Bruins. When the 2 met the 2nd game at Matt Knight Arena, Oregon didn't have Joevan Catron and got beaten on the scoreboard 67-59 and inside on the glass by a 35-26 margin. In that fateful 2nd half when the Uclans scored 43 points to pull away, their 300 pounder Josh Smith just played the bull in a china shop and had his way. Hopefully the return of Pac 10 player of the week, J.C will help alleviate some of those issues. We will speak with Ben Bolch who covers UCLA for the LA Times at 4:20.
Some great ball last night with North Carolina throwing a scare into Duke at Durham before the Blue Devils held on at the end. FYI...the oddsmakers were not sold on the heels despite their record making UNC a 10 point underdog.
The game of the night was in the Big East as lightly regarded Rutgers overcame a late 13 point deficit, converted a 4 point play with under a second left and took out 10th ranked Villanova 77-76.
For Blazer afficionados we'll talk with Ben Golliver who operates blazersedge.dot com. Very interesting times for Portland. Trade deadline is 2 weeks away and the return of both Brandon Roy and Marcus Camby pretty much imminent. Roy has practiced but apparently will not play this weekend. I'd anticipate more caution. Remember last year he underwent a surgical procedure on the meniscus in his right knee a couple of days before the playoffs started and incredibly returned for game 4. Turns out all admitted he may have come back too soon. Camby practiced with the team for about a half hour as he recovers from having his knee scoped. Don't expect to see him on the floor in Toronto or Detroit, maybe Wednesday at home versus the Hornets. Golliver joins us at the top of the 5 o'clock hour.