George Karl an all-star?

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Any Buck fan knows that George Karl is a bum who destroyed the Bucks, was run out of Seattle, and in 2 years will not or should not have a job with the Denver Nuggets. The 2001 Bucks were infamously jobbed of making, and winning the NBA Finals in 2001. Too bad Stern and A.I. decided to rig it. But I digress. George Karl is a scum who leaves his players out to dry, takes owners money, and then loses his players, and shortly thereafter his job.

Bogut should've been an All-Star

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Andrew Bogut is probably best known to NBA fans as a bust of a #1 overall pick. Quite the contrary. Averaging about 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds with 2.5 blocks a game to go with countless charges are all-star numbers. Playing in Milwaukee won't get you an all-star bid and neither will someone as unflashy as Andrew Bogut, but hopefully as the Bucks improve, so will Andrew's notoriety around the league. and All-Star berths will come around for the former #1 pick.

No One Wants TJ Ford?

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Shocking. TJ was so good in a Bucks uniform in his first season, when the Bucks surprisingly had a .500 record and qualified for the playoffs. His selection in the 2003 NBA Draft, #7 overall, was considered another quality addition to the famously incredible 2003 Draft Class. The missing piece in the Glenn Robinson trade to Atlanta for Toni Kukoc and the draft pick later used on Ford, TJ wowed Milwaukee with his endline to endline speed with the ball that seemed to be second to none in Terry Porter's high octane attack. But just 3 years and a heart-breaking spinal cord injury later, he was shipped off to Toronto for Charlie Villanueva, who would ultimately breed the same disappointment TJ did. Ford has done nothing since that first season, and probably is finished being a productive NBA player. What a shame to say, after his career started out so promising.

I'll tell you how Wes Matthews went undrafted

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Wes Matthews went undrafted for one simple reason: he didn't appear to have the potential to be a super-star. It was pretty obvious in the "Three Amigos" Sophomore seasons that Matthews would be the The NBA draft is such a joke sometimes. It is amazing that some people still have GM jobs after some of the blunders that they have pulled. Matthews has an NBA body; size and strength, yet that still isn't enough. As happy as I am that the Bucks selected Brandon Jennings, he is the strong exception, not the rule. Look no further than Joe Alexander or Marcus Haislip. At least the Bucks get away from their potential over production selections in the 2nd round, routinely picking solid contributors such as Michael Redd, Ramon Sessions, and Luc Mbah a Moute. Reaching for the potential superstar RARELY works. The NBA draft process is broken, just look to the Houston Rockets for examples of teams that have exposed this weakness to become successful NBA franchises.

Could Ray Allen be traded for Monta Ellis?

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Ray Allen was one of a very few amount of players that I continued to follow and admire after he was traded, I mean given to the Seattle Sonics for a washed up Gary Payton: George Karl and Ernie Grunfeld you devils. Ray Allen is the epitome of class in the NBA. I don't think that the Celtics should trade Ray and not for Monta Ellis. I don't have a problem with Monta Ellis as a player, but he needs the ball to be effective; Ray Allen does not. Ray Allen is a perfect fit with the Celtics. Maybe after his contract expires this season, he will sign on for another tour in Milwaukee? One can only dream. Which cap does Ray Allen don in the Hall of Fame? Milwaukee? Seattle? Boston?

Charlie Villanueva accused of assalt?

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Almost two years ago, Charlie Villanueva, allegedly, beat a man in a fight in a Milwaukee night club. Class act Charlie: Showed more fight in a night club than you ever did in 3 years as a Buck

Bucks beat native son Wade, win 6th straight home game

Dwyane Wade went 30-1 at the Bradley Center in his 2 year career at Marquette, but tonight fell to 5-5 there since being drafted #5 by the Miami Heat in 2003. An all around good effort by the Bucks, most notably Hakim Warrick and Andrew Bogut. Warrick had 22 pts off the bench, including 3 straight jumpers to put the game out of reach in the 4th quarter. A stall-worth 2nd quarter was followed up by a sloppy 2nd half by the Bucks, but they were able to pull out the "w". Andrew Bogut had a scary moment, falling to the ground holding his groin, but ultimately he was okay. The Bucks will head to Miami for a quick rematch Monday night.

Packers/Holmgren connection keeps on giving

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/27/packers-lose-front-office-staffer-to-holmgren/

When Mike Holmgren left the Green Bay Packers after the 1998 season, it was the end of an era. Holmgren ran to greener, or at least limer, pastures with Seattle, and had a relatively successful tenure there, reaching and losing one Super Bowl while qualifying for the post season 6 times including 5 in a row from 2003 to 2007. Notable connections existed throughout Holmgren's tenure in Seattle between the Seahawks and the Packers, most notably Matt Hasselbeck coming from Green Bay, and Ahman Green and Ted Thompson flying in from the Emerald City. This off-season, Holmgren took the job of President of the Cleveland Browns, in the process attempting to rectify one of the NFL's most dilapidated franchises. With this being the second executive to leave the Packers this offseason, hopefully the team-building process will not be too greatly affected, and not stop the great progress that has been accomplished over the last several years.

Dennis Sarfate again looking for a job

http://masnsports.com/2010/01/the-corresponding-roster-move.html

Dennis Sarfate always had a blazing fastball, but never had the control to harness it. With upwards of a 97 MPH fastball, pitchers like Dennis always get a 2nd or perhaps even 3rd look for the MLB scouting community. Initially, division rival Houston gave him a shot, before shipping him off to Baltimore in the trade for SS Miguel Tejada. Now with the 2010 Baltimore Orioles giving Tejada 6 million for a second stint with the team, Sarfate has again been kicked to the curb, ironically both Tejada and Sarfate were involved in each transaction. Sarfate, while a Brewer, was infamous for his father bad-mouthing the organization. One can only wonder if those issues came up again with his subsequent teams.

Ted might actually spend a high pick on an offensive lineman

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/82703482.html

I am not going to sit here and lie, I have never seen Idaho G Mike Iupati play, and if things stay as they are, no one will see him in a Packers uniform anytime soon. LG was horrible for the Packers this season, Daryn College was atrocious, finishing worst on the team in pressures allowed (40.5) and sacks (7.5), not to mention his hold in the riveting but ultimately heart-breaking loss to the Cardinals in the playoffs. The offensive line needs to be addressed, and I am glad that Ted Thompson seems to be making the effort to improve the talent level of the group. Perhaps Thompson could use a high(er) draft pick on an offensive line for a talent infusion, as no impact lineman are set to become free agents. Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher will probably be brought back for another go-around, Scott Wells solidified the center position for the Pack, and Josh Sitton has been the lone Thompson draft pick along the line to really solidify himself as a bona-fide starter in the NFL. Also nice to see the Packers looking to improve the running backs and the linebackers. I believe that the Packers are one dynamic receiver out of the back field away from being an unstoppable offense from a skill position standpoint.

Brewers sign Jim Edmonds: Add to glut of LHOF

As Rex pointed out earlier, the Brewers have signed Jim Edmonds to a minor league contract, and yes brings back nightmares from that horrendous 4 game series at Miller Park, most notably his grand slam off of Dave Bush. As I mentioned previously, Doug Melvin has signed several OF to minor league deals this offseason to compete for the 5th OF job, behind Ryan Braun in RF, Carlos Gomez in CF and Corey Hart in RF, with Jody Gerut locked in as the 4th OF. Jim Edmonds fits the mold that Melvin established with his other signings, a left-handed batter. Edmonds had a stellar season for the 2008 Cubs, most especially at the plate compiling a .256/.369/.569 slash line (19 HR and 49 RBIs) in 298 AB almost exclusively against RHP. But, as with all small sample sizes, we must do some further investigation to determine what we should have expected, all things being equal. The first order of business is to qualify that most of his AB were against RHP, inflating his stats. Because Edmonds will not be playing every day, as long as his AB are monitored to only place him in these situations, his production should be fine. Another metric to look at is his BABIP and xBABIP, which were .260 and .315 respectively, means that Edmonds was in fact unlucky in 2008, and should have accumulated approximately 10 extra hits. His offensive game seems fine as long as he is used essentially as a platoon player, which should happen with the aforementioned 3 starting OF in Milwaukee being RH. Now his defensive game is another story, which was an atrocious -23.3 according to UZR/150 and -26 according to Plus/Minus in 2008. UZR needs to be evaluated over multiple seasons to be most effective, but -23.3 is pretty brutal. As it stands now, Edmonds, assuming he makes the big league roster out of spring training, will most likely be the first PH off the bench with some starts against tough RH over Carlos Gomez and even Corey Hart assuming he fails to take a step forward this season.

Marquette (finally) wins a close game

Oh my heavens, what a game. Milwaukee basketball teams, Marquette and the Bucks alike seem to struggle to win the close games, but Marquette pushed through with a 70-68 win over the #19 UCONN Huskies. Although UCONN is not playing to the caliber they generally achieve this season, especially because of the leave of absence of Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun, Marquette desperately needed a 1) road win in the Big East and 2) a win in a close game, and achieved both of these with a win over the Huskies. Lazar Haywood had a big game with 20 pts and 3 rebounds before fouling out, and Jimmy Butler finally came through in the clutch with a jumper with 3 seconds to go in the game. David Cubillan iced the game with a late steal, and Marquette came away with the victory.

Tough loss for the Badgers

Keaton Nankivil did everything he could, making 6/7 3 pointers in a game reminiscent of the game at Iowa last year. Ultimately a back and forth game that saw Trevon Hughes and the Badgers fail to execute one final time. Far from a killer loss, and quite frankly an expected one at that. Mackey Arena is a tough place to play, and without Jon Leuer made it even more difficult. You can't help but wonder if Hughes was fouled on his last 3-point attempt. Players in college, or high school, just don't miss threes by ten feet without something going horribly wrong.

Wisconsin down 2 at the half

A typical Big Ten first half in West Lafayette as only 8 turnovers and fouls called respectively in the first half. Wisconsin, despite shooting only 37%, has only really settled for jumpers as opposed to driving at the heart of the defense. Has there been a more frustrating player than Trevon Hughes in a Wisconsin uniform? He goes from NBA-caliber point guard to the end of the bench in a split second. Nice to see Nankivil show some nice toughness with 4 offensive rebounds as well nice touch in making 3/4 3 pointers. Should be an exciting second half.

Ted might actually spend a high pick on an offensive lineman

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/82703482.html

I am not going to sit here and lie, I have never seen Idaho G Mike Iupati play, and if things stay as they are, no one will see him in a Packers uniform anytime soon. LG was horrible for the Packers this season, Daryn College was atrocious, finishing worst on the team in pressures allowed (40.5) and sacks (7.5), not to mention his hold in the riveting but ultimately heart-breaking loss to the Cardinals in the playoffs. The offensive line needs to be addressed, and I am glad that Ted Thompson seems to be making the effort to improve the talent level of the group. Perhaps Thompson could use a high(er) draft pick on an offensive line for a talent infusion, as no impact lineman are set to become free agents. Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher will probably be brought back for another go-around, Scott Wells solidified the center position for the Pack, and Josh Sitton has been the lone Thompson draft pick along the line to really solidify himself as a bona-fide starter in the NFL. Also nice to see the Packers looking to improve the running backs and the linebackers. I believe that the Packers are one dynamic receiver out of the back field away from being an unstoppable offense from a skill position standpoint.

Adrian Peterson's Fumblitis

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/82754497.html?elr=KArksUUUycaEacyU

Adrian Peterson is the most talented and intimidating running back in the NFL. Sorry Chris Johnson, but Adrian Peterson has your speed in the body of a monster. Adrian Peterson can outrun defensive backs, and truck linebackers. He did that at Oklahoma, where he almost single-handedly beat Boise State coming off of a broken collarbone, and has done that in his short time in the league (I badly wanted the Packers to take him the year he came out, but after winning the last 4 games, they ended up with Justin Harrell). But Peterson has problems with some basic fundamentals that keep him from being the best in the NFL. He is ineffective coming out of the backfield as a receiver, a weak pass-blocker, and has become infamous for putting the ball on the ground. These are signs of a player with mega-talent and an unimpressive work-ethic badly in need of a makeover. Sure he is a chiseled specimen and undoubtedly a workout warrior, but you need look no further than the Packers' running backs to see what several nuances and hard work can do to a backs' game. The Packers' running backs at first glance are nothing special: Ryan Grant has average speed and isn't intimidating physically; Brandon Jackson is a bit undersized, Ahman Green was great . . . in 2003 and DeShawn Wynn should never stray too far from a stretcher. A rather uninspiring group as a whole, but under the tutoring of Edgar Bennett did not fumble a ball this season off of carries. I have been clamoring for the Packers to acquire via the draft, free agency(Come on Ted) or a trade for a runner with dynamic speed to add to this already nearly unstoppable offense for a while now, not to mention improve the deplorable return game; Dexter McCluster was my choice until he lit the Senior Bowl practice field ablaze the last several days systematically rising several rounds, but the chronically underrated Packers backfield is just fine as it is for now.

Bucks lose, I mean win close game

What a game! I'm not sure that either the 76ers or the Bucks actually wanted to win the game, but we finally got a much needed W. Between the Bucks missing 6 free throws in the final period, including Ridnour missing 1 of 2 with 3 seconds left after Elton Brand's missed gimme a possession earlier. Jennings made a nice floater after a great rocker step to give the Bucks their last lead. However, why did they completely crumble when they got up 10 with 4 minutes to go. Philadelphia is not a good team, and the Bucks were playing at home. This should not have been this close. I'm not sure how Andrew Bogut did not manage to get owned by Samuel Dalembert like he generally does, but thank goodness it didn't. A gut win for the Bucks, but at this point, and win is important. And, I know that it is mid-week and it is as cold as ever in Wisconsin, but there was no one in the upper deck tonight. Also, FSNWisconsin, Bill and Jon are class acts and do a tremendous job on the tele, but please do not remind us Bucks fans about Glenn Robinson's missed shot at the end of game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals anymore, and don't say that Brand's miss today even compares to that, or even comes close; and Allen Iverson riding the bench doesn't evoke memories of that series. That series was nothing but pain and sorrow for Bucks nation, something that I personally still have not recovered from.

Bucks lose (another) nail-biter

Well, your Milwaukee Bucks managed to lose another close game. Bogut was huge, with a career high 32 points, a Moute had a great steal to give the Bucks the final possession, and Delfino had an incredible shot-clock ending, 30 ft. 3-pointer to pull the Bucks within one near the end the game, before ultimately just missing a runner from the top of the key as time expired Tough loss against a tough team last night. Need to get that road win against a good team that seems to be slipping by this team as of late, close against Houston, Phoenix, and now Dallas. 3-10 on the season in games decided by 3 points or less, most games and worst record in the Association.