The Weekend in Review

Ramblings with a Half Yurchenko Twist

• First of all, I'd like to welcome a new blog to the list of links in our right sidebar - The Backer. It's an interesting mix of ND life, sports, and just about anything else you can think of. Welcome to the blog bandwagon!


• You know, there's nothing like a 8 game losing streak to teach me to keep my mouth shut about the Indians' playoff chances. Then again, with a rotation that's in uncharted waters when it comes to innings, a bullpen that never was good, and a young lineup that's bound to have droughts, maybe this year was a little too soon.


• There was a huge unfounded rumor floating around NDNation this weekend that Tom Zbikowski would be transferring to Nebraska. Well, he had missed a few days of practice, but it was nothing major. "TZ" was back today taking reps at free safety.


• A week or two ago, there was a rumor that the Browns would trade WRs or Quincy Morgan or Andre Davis (not to be confused with LB Andra Davis) to the Dolphins for holdout DE Adewale Ogunleye. And why not? With Ricky Williams gone and David Boston out for the season, Miami needs offense. The Browns are relatively deep at WR (although they wouldn't be any more after this trade), and Butch Davis is known for taking quantity over quality on the D-Line. Well, this rumor wasn't even close to coming true. THis was something proposed by the Miami front office, but the Browns never even considered it. A few days later, Ogunleye went to the Bears for Marty Booker. Rumor has it that the Dolphins may still have their eye on Browns reserve RB James Jackson, a graduate of "The U" who has said he would gladly accept a trade to the Dolphins. They can have him.


• Speaking of "The U" - is "ironic" the right word to use here? Football players from Miami refer to their school as "The U," even though U stands for University. University implies a school and the associated academic work, something Miami football players rarely concern themselves with.


• My favorite moment of the Olympics thus far: after winning his first gold medal in the 400 IM, swimmer Michael Phelps turns to silver medalist and fellow American Eric Vendt and asks, "Do we have to take our wreaths off for the Nation Anthem?"


• Ced Hilliard's NFL dream took a hit recently, as he was a victim of the Cowboys' latest roster cuts. Hey, maybe he'll end up in Cleveland.
  
• The Mets welcomed ND Alum Aaron Heilman back to the majors today (Monday) and handed him the ball for their game against San Deigo. It hasn't been a great year for Heilman at AAA, but after a rough first innings, it appears that he's settled down against the Padres.


• Speaking of Mets pitchers, or at least former Mets pitchers, Scott Kazmir will be in uniform for the Devil Rays starting on Monday night. Between Kazmir, BJ Upton, Carl Crawford, Dewon Brazelton, and Rocco Baldelli, it appears that Lou Pinella is trying to challenge most NBA teams for the youngest average age for a pro sports team. Hey, at least he's giving his young talent some experience instead of hiding them behind overpaid, washed-up free agents.


• Well, it appears that Tom Timmermans will not be playing for the Nets this year. The Mark Paul Gosselaaar of Basketball signed a deal with the Cantabria Lobos of the Spanish League for the upcoming season. No word yet as to whether he actually speaks Spanish.


• Congratulations to KankaSports contributor Ellen Fitzgerald for her first scoop. The South Bend Tribune is now reporting that Gary Godsey will be a part of the remake of The Longest Yard. Godsey will play a prison guard/defensive end named Malloy. He has no speaking lines, but in addition to his character, he will also serve as a stunt double for the "action" football scenes. Check out some of his co-stars courtesy imdb.com: Stone Cold, Brian Bosworth, Goldberg (apparently no longer feuding with Stone Cold, or at least not enough to keep him from getting a paycheck), Michael Irvin, Kevin Nash (the #2 recruit out of high school the year he graduated - second only to someone named Ervin Johnson), Nelly, and Bill Romanowski. You can't make this up.

Well, that's all I have. Time to go figure out how I'm going to screw myself over even more in the fantasy draft.