THE FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR THE TRADE DEADLINE

-Cardinals get Jake Westbrook in a three way (hot) deal with the Padres and Indians. Westbrook will instantly turn into a pitcher with a sub 2 ERA under Dave Duncan. Mark it down. Padres get Ryan Ludwick who should provide some pop. Indians get prospect Corey Kluber. No fucking clue who that is. If you do please go get laid. Now.

-Dodgers acquire Ted Lilly from the Cubs for Blake Dewitt.. Ted Lilly still sucks. Even in LA.

-Pirates get Chris Snyder from the Diamondbacks. Pirates and Diamondbacks still blow balls.

-Lance Berkman is about to get traded to the Yankees. Joy. Another high priced sub/rental player for the Yankees. Must be nice.

-The Braves are not doing shit. Well, I don't blame them. But I would still like to see them sit Troy Glaus for a while and let Freddie Freeman come up.

-The Orioles and Rays are in talks about Luke Scott or Will Ohman. I forgot to mention the Orioles hired Buck Showalter the other day. Peter Angelos is still the owner. This is why I forgot to mention it.

-Looks like Adam Dunn is staying in D.C. Too bad because he would be a great DH for the Rays or White Sox.

-Manny still in LA. White Sox tried to get him but no luck so far.

-Fuck baseball. The trade deadline is bull shit anyways. Teams can still make trades till August 31st as long as players clear waivers. Most all players clear waivers. Football season is one month from this weekend. FUCK YEAH!!!!!

ANTHONY RABASA PICKS NOTRE DAME

So much for my prediction of Aaron Lynch being the next public verbal commitment to Notre Dame. Today Anthony Rabasa, a defensive end from Miami, FL who has received offers from Miami, Florida, and Florida State, pulled a somewhat stunner and has picked Notre Dame according to the Miami Herald.

Columbus defensive end Anthony Rabasa didn't need more than
three days in South Bend, Indiana to realize he'd found the right
place to go to college.

Rabasa, a 6-3, 235-pound defensive end, told The Miami Herald
Friday he had committed to Notre Dame University. Rabasa, a first
team All-Dade selection last year, had 80 tackles and 10 sacks to
help Columbus win a district championship.

"I got up here and immediately I was blown away by the
atmosphere up here,'' said Rabasa, who arrived at Notre Dame on
an official visit Wednesday. "I love it. We're by Chicago, a
great city like Miami and around here the people are all about
Notre Dame football.''

Rabasa said he visited Miami, Florida State and Florida. But
after his three days in Notre Dame, he said he probably would not
take his remaining visit.

Rabasa, a 3.0 student, said he was excited to play for new
Irish coach Brian Kelly, and a defensive scheme that will allow
him to broaden his skills on defense.

"This is it for me,'' Rabasa said. "They have a whole new
defense they're planning to run and it's going to be great
because it will allow me to be more than just a pass rusher. I
know this is the place where I want to be.''

I want to make love to Brian Kelly and his staff right now. Notre Dame just pulled a kid out of Miami at a position (defensive end) that is a huge need that they usually never fill. With another Florida defensive end in Lynch expected to announce his decision for Notre Dame tomorrow in South Bend it is as clear as day that the Irish are making a huge push for some of the best recruits in the South. All this despite having 3 consecutive awful seasons and a new coaching staff and if there were any doubts Kelly would have a hard time recruiting big time athletes...well...he has quickly extinguished those flames.

Rabasa is a 3 star prospect with a five star offer list. LSU and Nebraska were just some of the numerous other schools who offered the explosive defensive end. He should be able to compete for immediate playing time once he enrolls in 2011. Here are some highlights of Rabasa...

JUSTICE IS SERVED IRISH

Notre Dame picked up another huge commitment today with the decision of 4 star tailback Justice Hayes out of Michigan to wear the Blue and Gold in 2011. Hayes is the #5 rated all-purpose back by Rivals.com and the #15 running back by Scout.com and is expected to excel in Brian Kelly's spread offense. He's a small type of back with good cutbacks and elusive feet who has excellent hands and should catch plenty of passes out of the backfield.

Hayes is a huge get for the Irish with seniors Armando Allen and Robert Hughes both graduating after this season. The rest of the tailback depth is redshirt freshman Cierre Wood (#6 rated RB by Rivals.com), junior Jonas Gray(#4 rated RB by Rivals.com), and true freshman Cameron Roberson(#17 rated RB by Rivals.com). As you can see the Fighting Irish will have plenty of talent at the tailback position but all of them are unproven at the collegiate level. Kelly loves to rotate his tailbacks in his quick strike offense so he can get fresh legs and Hayes will definitely provide a change of pace when it comes to his leaping ability. Check out this highlight where he leaps over three defenders...





Hayes is now the 13th commitment in Brian Kelly's first recruiting class at Notre Dame. He is the first offensive skill position player to commit in the class (TE Ben Koyack is on offense but not really a skill position) and is also tied for the highest rated prep player with Koyack and offensive lineman Matthew Hegarty. Kelly's current 2011 class consists primarily of linemen which if you have watched Notre Dame football for the past 10 years has been lacking in numbers and talent. Kelly and his staff are changing those numbers quickly.

So who is next for Notre Dame recruiting? Aaron Lynch, that's who. Lynch is a 4 star defensive end out of Florida who is visiting Notre Dame for the second time this weekend. He is another must get for the Irish. Expect him to commit soon. Lynch is a big time player with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Ohio State, and Florida among many others. In my view he would be the biggest get for this class because the Irish have always had a hard time getting top notch defensive linemen. Especially out of the talent rich state of Florida.

ROY OSWALT TRADED TO THE PHILLIES...FUCK

Via Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Enquirer...

Source: Oswalt has accepted deal. Astros waiting to hear back from Phillies. Happ and Gose part of package. http://go.philly.com/pzone
9 minutes ago via TweetDeck

magelb
Matt Gelb

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. OH YEAH...FUCK! The Philadelphia Phillies just sent a very loud and clear message to the Atlanta Braves and the rest of the National League that they will not go quietly into the night. They intend to fight for a playoff spot till the very end. Riding a 7 game winning streak which has gotten them within 3.5 games of the Atlanta Braves and only a 1.5 of the Wildcard, acquiring Roy Oswalt is very similar to what they got last season in Cliff Lee. Oswalt is a money pitcher. His win-loss record maybe awful this year but that is more of a product of a bad team in the Astros. The guy can still put up great WHIP numbers and his ERA is still a very respectable mid 3's.

Now you have a rotation of Doc, Oswalt, and pretty boy Cole Hamels which come playoff time could be the best in the majors. Oswalt makes a shitload of money and the Phillies did have to give up promising starter J.A Happ and outfield prospect Anthony Gose. But then again Oswalt could be the difference in a playoff berth. Right now this looks like an excellent trade for the Phillies. They have the opportunity to pick up Oswalt's option for next year too if he pitches great down the stretch or they can deny the option and pick up draft picks. Very smart trade for the Phillies.

Now the question is do the Braves have an equal reaction on the trade front? I say bring up Freddie Freeman from AAA Gwinnett and put Troy Glaus on the disabled list to give him some rest and see what happens. Just a thought.

FAN KICKED OUT OF INDIANS GAME FOR WEARING A LEBRON HEAT JERSEY

Last night at the Indians-Yankees game in Cleveland a fan decided to wear a Miami Heat Lebron James jersey into the upper deck just to throw a little salt into Cleveland's fresh wounds. Not surprisingly he was kicked out. It wasn't because of the jersey. It was because of the dick wearing the jersey. Seriously, tilting your hat like that will get you kicked out every single time. It's like some kind of white gang symbol. The gang being some boy band. Oh shit, just noticed it was a Buckeyes hat he was wearing. Totally legal ejection in my opinion. The guy wanted the attention and he got it. Now go dot your fucking I in your girlfriend. She seems like a classy one.



Video HT: ExtraMustard

BRYCE BROWN LEAVES TENNESSEE VIA TEXT MESSAGE

It takes a complete asshole to tell your head coach you are leaving school through a text message. Former Vol RB Bryce Brown should have been man enough to do it through Facebook. Right?

“Bryce left town without a face-to-face request (with UT football coach Derek Dooley) for a transfer,” a school official told the News Sentinel on Tuesday evening. “There’s still no news on where he wants to go.”

There has been considerable speculation that the consensus high school All-American running back from Wichita would transfer to Kansas State, where his older brother is now enrolled.

Brown, who was the No. 1 attraction in former UT coach Lane Kiffin’s 2009 recruiting class, didn’t take part in spring practice following Kiffin’s departure for the head-coaching job at Southern California and wasn’t expected to rejoin the team. But there was just enough doubt to make for an ongoing story.

The story continued Tuesday. Dooley addressed it at a local Rotary Club luncheon.

“I said (earlier) that I was open to Bryce coming back on the condition that he wanted to unpack his bags and put his heart into this program,” Dooley said. “I fully expect Bryce not to be on our team.

“The reason it has continued on is because Bryce has not come to me, looked me in the eye and said I want a release to so-and-so school. At some point, that’s got to happen.”

Brown, the #1 rated player coming out of Kansas in high school, left the good old fashion Lane Kiffin way. He pussed out. Losing Brown is a major blow to the Tennessee football program and new head coach Derek Dooley no matter how much they try to spin it. Brown as a true freshman tailback ran for 460 yards while also catching 10 passes for 137 yards out of the backfield. He was the primary backup to Montario Hardesty who rushed for 1345 yards. Now both of them are not at Tennessee. The Vols will now have no game experience at the tailback position. Ruh roh.


Tauren Poole is a sophomore with no experience and David Oku and Toney Williams are both true freshmen who will have a tough time picking up the speed of the college game at least for the early part of the season. The Volunteers could be historically bad this year with junior college transfer Matt Simms (oh fuck another Simms in college, hide the weed) looking like the early leader to be taking snaps behind center. They have to play Oregon, Florida, LSU, Georgia and Alabama within the first 7 weeks of the season. They should lose all of them.

Better yet they might not show up. They could just text SEC Commissioner Mike Silve: "We can't make it LOL."

Brown is no doubt a huge vagina for leaving in this manner which makes him a perfect fit at USC with Kiffin. Not only is he one of the most talented running backs in the college game but his transfer to USC would probably cause the media to explode with stories about how Kiffin loves to finger blast recruits with money and women and empty promises of future stardom. If there is a God he will make this happen. What can Brown do for USC? More sanctions.


Image via AthlonSports

SAMUEL JACKSON ATLANTA FALCONS RISE UP COMMERCIAL

It's time for the 9-7 Falcons to "Rise Up?" Ok. I actually don't mind the commercial as much as the whole "Rise Up" theme. They probably paid Samuel Jackson a cool million to do the commercial so they might as well make it exciting. Something that makes you feel like you are at a football game and not in church singing hymns. And where the fuck are the Matty Ice shirts? Those shirts alone get people jacked up for some Falcon's football. But no, not one Matty Ice shirt. They should have had Jackson playing Jules and Freddie the Falcon dressed up as Vincent Vega. Now that shit would have been cool. They could have reenacted scenes from Pulp Fiction and just replaced some of the characters with the mascots from the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Bucanneers and Drew Brees birthmark/mole. The hamburger scene would have been perfect.


No worries though. The Falcons are winning the NFC South. The Saints will slip this year. Brees is too busy selling Pyramid schemes to those poor souls in New Orleans to realize Matt Ryan and the Falcons have reloaded. The offense will of course score a ton of points but the key is the defense. It should be greatly improved with new additions DL Peria Jerry, LB Sean Weatherspoon, and CB Dunta Robinson all destroying opponents. Falcons go 12-4, maybe 13-3.

Playoffs baby. Playoffs.

NIKE AD LIKES THEM BIG AND ROUND

TheRapUp posted this new Nike Ad which says it's okay to have some junk in the trunk. And you know what? I completely agree. Flat butts are boring. So I believe the point of this advertisement is to make all the skinny bean pole girls with no asses to feel really self conscious about their back door and go out and get butt implants to make themselves more curvy and attractive. Bravo Nike. Bravo. You did it again.

In honor of the big butts I present Kim Kardashian. Queen of the asses.



And one last goodbye shot from last week...

BYU STUDENTS GONE WILD

Those crazy Mormons. This is probably the wildest it gets at BYU. You know besides the massive polygamist cult orgies they have for orientation. There were over 3900 Cougars throwing water balloons at each other making it the largest water balloon fight in recorded history. I guess that is something to be proud of. And don't worry there were no black people injured because...well...you know why.

Video HT: Extra Mustard

ANOTHER REASON WHY I LOVE MARTIN PRADO

Martin Prado should have run for governor of Georgia. Ok so maybe he is Venezuelan and not a US Citizen but the guy speaks the truth. Nate McLouth does suck. McLouth is batting like .00000004 for the season. It's so bad I don't even want to bother looking it up. Everyone knows he can't hit but nobody has the balls to say it. Except for Martin Fucking Prado. This is why he is the MVP of the National League. Besides hitting upper deck home runs and being a team leader he preaches the truth. If Prado were GM he would send McLouth down to the minors and bring back Gregor Blanco. Thank you Prado for having the balls to speak your mind. Now go ahead and Nancy Kerrigan McLouth's knee.



Big ass HT to Billy Holcombe for the Prado image.

TENNESSEE TITANS SUE LANE KIFFIN AND USC

Another sign the apocalypse is upon us: stupid lawsuits. The Tennessee Titans and former USC Trojan and current Titan's head coach Jeff Fisher got their panties in a bunch this weekend when they found out Lane Kiffin stole Titan's running backs coach Kennedy Pola to take over the USC offensive coordinator's job. Now the Titans are suing Kiffin and USC. No bull shit.

The Titans on Monday filed a lawsuit against the University of Southern Cal and head coach Lane Kiffinfor “maliciously” interfering with the contract of running backs coach Kennedy Pola.

The lawsuit was filed in Davidson County Chancery Court and it claims Pola breached his contract with the Titans after being induced by Kiffin. Pola, hired by the Titans in January, was hired by USC over the weekend as the school’s new offensive coordinator.

The lawsuit states “as a result of USC and Kiffin’s tortuous conduct, Tennessee (Titans) football has been damaged in an amount proven at trial.’’

Listen, I hate USC and Lane Kiffin as much as 99.9% of the rest of you but this lawsuit is fucking dumb. Fisher is mad at Kiffin because Kiffin never contacted him before offering the job to Pola. Usually it is polite to at least contact the other teams officials and ask for permission to offer a contract. It's kind of an unwritten rule in the coaching profession. What I don't get is the Titans getting all pissy about it. It's fucking Lane Kiffin. The guy is a fucking brat. Of course he isn't going to ask permission. Hell, Al Davis gave him a head coaching job at the age of 31. Kiffin is use to getting what he wants. He doesn't need Fisher's permission.

There is no need to waste taxpayers money on something this stupid. All coaches are replaceable and if the guy decided to leave then fuck him. Move on. The fact that the Titans are filing a lawsuit over a running backs coach leaving them just smells like rotten vagina. Kiffin maybe an asshole but Jeff Fisher is being a pussy and the Titans organization are a bunch of dicks for suing them over something so frivolous.



So in conclusion fuck all of them. I rest my case.

FORMULA TRUCK TRACTOR CRASH IN BRAZIL

ExtraMustard has the amazing crash footage of two tractor trailers in Brazil. Holy balls! I had no idea the Brazilians loved tractor trailers. Do we have this shit here? I've seen truck racing but not tractor trucks. It's like a real life Transformers episode. No worries on the accident. Both drivers walked away.

CATHOLICS VS CONVICTS BUY THIS SHIRT NOW

I know what you are going to say before you even say it. "Holy shit, he did it again!"

That's right folks. We again designed one of the coolest mother fucking t-shirts on the planet. For only $17 you can pimp (aka Nick Saban) the new "Catholics Versus Convicts" shirt and show the world what you think about the ND-Miami series coming to Chicago in 2012. Just sporting this shirt is bound to get you A)Free High Fives B)Free Booze C)Free Boobs D)Free Food E)Free Smiles and F)Plenty of Attention. That is what SportsCrack.com tee shirts do for you. So go ahead and BUY ONE NOW and you can thank me later. Or now. Whatever.

ADIOS AMIGOS

I hope all of you degenerates have a very safe and disease free weekend. It's going to be hot as fuck so be sure to drink plenty of beer to stay dehydrated. I leave you with another highlight of the Orioles season. This one comes courtesy of pitcher Jake Arrieta. He seems to be right on target which is unfortunate for Carl Crawford...

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE ORIOLES SEASON

If you have been wondering why haven't written much about the Orioles this season it is because they suck so bad it's not even worth mentioning. The Orioles have only won 30 games all season thanks to a horrible lineup that has been minus 2B Brian Roberts all season and one in which the Switch hitting Jesus known as Matt Wieters has looked like he has been nailed to the cross since leaving the minors. The pitching has been awful. Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, and Chris Tillman were suppose to be the next great cavalry of starting pitchers and all of them have struggled in the rough AL East. The season has been so bad that I am actually shocked when the Orioles are winning. At any point in the game.

Anyways, they haven't been worth mentioning until yesterday. Ty Wigginton helped his trade stock by going ape shit on the umpire and for good reason. The runner was clearly out. Pitching coach Rich Kranitz was ejected shortly after for arguing with the blues and then interim manager Juan Samuel went ballistic on the home umpire. Finally. They look like they actually care. Granted the Orioles still got shut out by Tom Selleck...I mean Carl Pavano, but they showed some heart out there and the crowd fed off it.

Unfortunately nothing is going to change the losing culture in Camden Yards until Peter Angelos sells the team. Angelos is no Steinbrenner. He's cheap. He's a piece of shit lawyer. And he pockets most of his money (granted he does give to charity). The losing will continue until he either gives up on life (and then they will probably go to his sons) or he decides to sell the team to someone who actually wants to invest in the product on the field. The team sucks in so many ways it's hard to just point out one thing. The scouting is awful. They need a lot more scouts who actually know what they are doing. The international signings are almost nonexistent. They need to bump up their presence in the Latin Countries like Dominican Republic and Venezuela. They also need to develop their minor league talent....badly. They also need to expand the payroll to around $120 million. The fans will come if you put a decent product on the field. Baltimore used to sell out every game when they rolling in the 90's. Now nobody will buy a ticket because the product on the field is shit.

Sell the team Angelos and the fans will come.

NOTRE DAME'S MICHAEL FLOYD AND MIKE RAGONE VS. FAST PITCH SOFTBALL

Honestly I don't know how many of those pitches I could hit either. And I play baseball. Poorly I may add. Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd is a hell of a player on the football field but I don't think he would be able to hit the Mendoza line in little league baseball. His swing is absolutely brutal. It's like he has club feet or some other deformity. Notre Dame tight end Mike Ragone definitely looked more natural out there with the bat. He took one opposite field which is pretty impressive. It's always embarrassing to get shown up by a female but in this case I think it can be forgiven. She was throwing darts.

Video HT: Ragone

Slive to Kiffin... kind of

Am I the only one who caught SEC Commissioner, Mike Slive's comments (seemingly) regarding Lame Kiffin? Check out ESPN's Chris Low and his SEC Blog regarding what Slive had to say on Day 1 of the SEC Media Days.

HOOVER, Ala. -- It took SEC commissioner Mike Slive less than five minutes to take a back-handed jab at former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin on Wednesday.

It’s no secret in SEC circles that Slive was glad to see Kiffin leave the conference and bolt for Southern California, especially given the way Kiffin ran through secondary violations and kept it stirred up in the league.

In his opening comments to kick off the SEC media days, Slive welcomed the three new coaches to the league. And though he never mentioned Lane Kiffin by name, Slive did make reference to Dooley’s “predecessor leaving to return to his western roots.”

“I want to welcome Derek Dooley, and when I say welcome, I mean welcome,” said Slive, who drew a course of laughter from the media members in the main ballroom.

Unlike Slive, I personally will miss the chance to see you try and try again, yet fail repeatedly in the SEC. I do wish Derek Dooley success, but seeing a Dooley in anything other than Red and Black seems simply absurd!

A WEDDING TOAST THAT WILL MAKE YOU PUKE

I don't blame her. I started getting a little dizzy and nauseous just listening to this guy explain love. This guy has obviously seem one too many romantic comedies. I love the fact she tried to hold it in. Nothing is worse than holding in your own vomit.

Video via BarStoolSports

THIS IS ME IN 20 YEARS

Granted I will have less hair and won't look like Will Ferrell in Zoolander. But the enthusiasm is contagious. Love the tongue action too.

Video HT: Felix

UGA NOW BEING INVESTIGATED BY NCAA, RENNIE CURRAN NOT HELPING

The NCAA infraction committee is treating the SEC Media Days like they are Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. They are sick and tired of putting up with the bull shit it seems. The bull shit being inscrupulous agents who suck on the blood of the finest players in college football.

Yesterday it was confirmed that the NCAA will now send investigators to Athens to "inquire" about certain football players attending the same agent party in Miami that has already gotten Alabama's Marcel Dareus ruled ineligible for the 2010 season because of his attendance. The rumors have been swirling that wide receiver A.J. Green is one of the players in question. I hope this isn't true only because it would be another All-American I would have to take off my preseason team. Green has come out and flat out denied he has ever been to Miami.

Green, Georgia’s top pro prospect, has said that he was asked by a Georgia official on Tuesday if he attended the agent’s party in Miami and that he said no.

He reiterated this morning that he has “never” been to Miami.

“I’m not even focused on that,” Green said of the tumult about the NCAA probe. “I’m just focused on getting ready for the season.”

Asked if he is worried about what might come of the investigation, Green said simply: “No.”

Asked if it is a hassle, he said: “Not really. Just random stuff, but it’s not a hassle.”

With the NCAA snooping around the campus of Georgia it would probably be wise for both current players and past players to keep their opinions to themselves until the investigation is over. Unfortunately for Georgia and their fans one of their former players, LB Rennie Curran, decided to go on Twitter yesterday and let off some steam in regards to the NCAA.

Via Rennie Curran's (LiberianDream35) Twitter account...

when there are video games being made of you, your jerseys getting sold, your family is struggling n you don't even get a dime except pell
about 16 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

Can't believe how hard the ncaa is trying to crack down on college athletes. How can expect someone not to look to outside sources.
about 16 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

Oh no. If you are a Georgia fan this is not what you want to hear right now. Curran has every right in this nation to open up his mouth and voice his feelings but he should have probably waited to say "how can expect someone not to look to outside sources." This would imply the current Nashville Titan's LB had either received improper benefits while in school or knew of teammates who did. This will not help the investigation.

Listen, I would be a fool to sit here and say players don't receive improper benefits. Of course they do. They are football players and the schools use them to generate hundreds of millions in revenue every year. There is bound to be someone getting money here or there on the side. It's just the way it works. And it happens everywhere. Not just USC. Not just SEC schools. Everywhere. Yes, including schools like Notre Dame and Duke. There are too many outside forces for schools to regulate every player. But what they can do is inquire and not look the other way like USC did with Reggie Bush.

So hopefully with this whole NCAA investigation into this Miami party we learn that none of these players will be suspended because of A)Marvin Austin, Dareus, and Green are all on my preseason All-American team and I don't want to go to the hassle of taking them off and B)dude, it's a fucking party. Get over it.

After all I thought the whole reason to go to college was for the parties.

Image via Al.com

NICK SABAN NEEDS TO LAY OFF THE PIMP COMMENTS

Pimps ain't going to put up with no foosball coach bull shit. Now make me some pancakes bitch!

Image via EDSBS

WATER SLIDE FAIL

Seriously why the fuck do people do this? The point of a water slide is to land in water right? Last time I went I'm pretty positive they had water at the end of the slide. Seeing how poorly this idea was to go down the slide clearly indicates these guys could be top scouts for the Baltimore Orioles. Hell, they could even be director of operations if they fuck up enough.

ALABAMA DL MARCEL DAREUS DECLARED INELIGIBLE IN 2010 OVER AGENT TRIP

The defending National Champions learned today that one of their star lineman has been ruled ineligible for the 2010 season due to a party he attended in Miami which he was hosted by a NFL agent. Star defensive end and future NFL first rounder Marcel Dareus has a lot of questions to answer to the NCAA and until he does it he will not be eligible to play according to the Tuscaloosa News.

University of Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus has been declared ineligible and is believed to be the only UA player who attended a party in Miami hosted by a sports agent, a source close to the situation told The Tuscaloosa News.

UA will petition immediately for the reinstatement of Dareus' eligibility. The NCAA will make the ultimate ruling on when, or if, Dareus will be reinstated. It is standard procedure for a player to be declared ineligible immediately whenever a question of whether the player violated NCAA rules arises.

UA is conducting an investigation into whether Dareus paid his own expenses for the
trip, and whether the circumstances of the trip constitute an NCAA violation. Under NCAA rules, student-athletes are not permitted to accept cash or anything of value from sports agents or their representatives.

Between the recent NCAA hammering of USC with the Reggie Bush scandal and the investigation into North Carolina's Marvin Austin and South Carolina's Weslye Saunders attending the same party as Dareus it is clear that the NCAA wants to eliminate these rogue agents who pay football players before they declare for the draft. NCAA rules state you can not accept gifts or money of any kind from sports agents as a student-athlete or you will be ruled ineligible. The players know the rules so it's not completely the agent's fault for breaking the rules.

What the NCAA and the NFL need to do is start identifying these NFL agents who violate the rules and give them suspensions from representing any future clients for at least 1-3 years. I think this would help curtail some of these ongoing issues with agents ruining a player's eligibility.

Losing Dareus would be a huge blow for the Crimson Tide. Coming off a team leading 6.5 sacks last year, the rising junior is expected to be a top NFL draft pick if he does come out early. He was the defensive MVP of the BCS National Championship game as he took an interception to the house last year....


He also was responsible for taking Colt McCoy out of the game with this hit...


The Tide have depth but Dareus is one of those guys no team can simply replace. He is fast, big, and extremely athletic for a man his size (6'4 306 lbs) and creates havoc in Bama's 3-4 defense.

Of course head coach Nick Saban is about to go postal with the thoughts of losing his star defensive player. He compared these roguesports agents to pimps today at the SEC Media Day.

“How are they (agents) any better than a pimp?” Saban asked.

Not sure I see the relation but okay. I would love to see Saban go ape shit on some agent who gets near his practice field. Until then we can only pray more football players don't make the mistake of taking money. Chances of that happening are not good.


Picture via Getty Images

LB CHRIS MARTIN TRANSFERS AGAIN...THIS TIME TO FLORIDA

In yet another chapter in "The Curious Case of Prep LB Chris Martin" saga comes today's news that he has again decided to transfer. This time he will leave Cal-Berkeley after only two weeks on campus to go play for the anxiety riddled Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators. This should get even more interesting.

A day after he notified the University of California about his intent to transfer, former Grandview High School linebacker Chris Martin announced Wednesday he will be heading to the University of Florida.

Cal coach Jeff Tedford announced the transfer decision of the 6-foot-5, 245-pound linebacker on Monday, saying he supported the choice of Scout.com's top-ranked outside linebacker who had more than 100 tackles, 11 sacks and five forced fumbles in 2009 for Grandview.

A day later, Martin made his choice of Florida public on his facebook page, saying: "I would like to thank everyone who has been supportive of me through my crazy mental episodes. A special thank you to my mother and father who have supported me no matter what. I love you both. God has granted me a second chance. A chance I cannot mess up. With that said. Go Gators. Thank You to everyone and all the coaches who showed their interest in me."

In the past 6 months Martin has gone from Notre Dame (verbal commitment non binding) to enrolling at Cal to now transferring to Florida. In high school he transferred from his original Oakland California high school after three seasons to the Hunn School in New Jersey for his senior season only to transfer shortly after to another high school in Aurora, Colorado where he graduated but surely would have transferred again if given the option (a joke but not really). So in the space of a year he has transferred or changed his mind on schools 5 times.

Sounds like Martin is of stable mind. 18 year old kids can be known to change their minds as often as they change girlfriends but the Martin case is puzzling. It sounds like the kid has no idea what he wants. He may have all the talent in the world (#1 rated outside linebacker) and any school would love to have him on their roster but I'm not sure his flakiness is worth dealing with. You have to wonder if he will even stick in Gainesville.

I have my doubts.

Picture via ESPN

Should Larry Retire?

You have to give Chipper all of the props in the world. He's been amazing for the Bravos and for baseball in general. One of the last players from the era of loyalty in baseball, he's a man who has publicly admitted he would retire before becoming an embarrassment to his team. Granted, he has been injury plagued over the last couple of seasons, but this guy goes out everyday, plays as hard as he can, demonstrates leadership in the clubhouse, demonstrates generosity in his community, and has been embraced as the face of the Braves for over a decade.

The former overall number 1 draft pick (as a shortstop believe it or not) has put together a 1st ballot Hall of Fame career. Personally, I feel he's too valuable in the clubhouse to retire, for nothing more than providing the veteran leadership that he's seemingly provided since his rookie season, he's vital to our team and our city, but at some point and some point soon the role that he will play has to be evaluated.


The Braves have an uber prospect in Freddie Freeman who was a consensus top 25 overall prospect in the minor leagues last year and who is on a tear in AAA right now, not to mention the kid is currently 20 years. Wren can also presumably resign the 4 time All Star and former World Series MVP 3rd baseman Troy Glaus for much cheaper than getting a "big name" (no offense Troy) free agent and actually have him play his natural position. Just an interesting fact, like Chipper, Troy was drafted as a SS, look it up, a 6'6 shortstop at UCLA.

As I've said before, I have to give Wren kudos right now, he's made some risky deals and has proven to be smarter than I am, but considering this is my post, it's my opinion. Personally, I think Chipper should stay on throughout his contract, if nothing more than to be a mentor to Heyward, Freeman, Prado, and some of the other younger Braves. He's more valuable here than in retirement. The guy still has baseball in him. When he's healthy, he's still a monster, and when he's not, his clubhouse presence is truly invaluable on a team that is already (supposedly) losing Bobby Cox and the newly acquired, but still amazing Billy Wagner to retirement. Let's face it, the Brave's need Chipper and Chipper loves the Braves. My prediction, Chipper stays, Freeman gets called up this year and Glaus starts playing some 3rd base as Chipper needs the rest. Freeman has less pressure to perform, Chipper plays when healthy, and Glaus is still the man for the Braves. I don't know about you guys, but I do live in a perfect world so this is going to happen! What are your thoughts?

USC DOESN'T WANT REGGIE BUSH'S HEISMAN TROPHY, SENDS IT BACK

From the USAToday comes the memo from USC president-elect Max Nikias to the "USC Trojan Family" in regards to Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy...

The Trojan family honors and respects the USC sporting careers of those persons whose actions did not compromise their athletic program or the opportunities of future USC student-athletes. Accordingly, I have instructed the senior vice president for administration to remove athletic jerseys and murals displayed in recognition of O.J. Mayo and Reggie Bush by mid-August -- before the incoming class of students moves on campus -- from Heritage Hall, the Galen Center and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The university also will return Mr. Bush's 2005 Heisman Trophy to the Heisman Trophy Trust in August.

Damn, even O.J. killed some people and yet he still got to hold onto his Heisman. The point is don't take money from agents while in school. Now after school you can go ahead and kill whomever you like. Even your ex-wife if you so choose. Just don't take money.

Lesson learned.

So I guess now Vince Young gets the Heisman? Someone contact Vince pronto. Just go to some night club and look for a sweaty tall black dude with no shirt on. Chances are good it's VY.

NBC ANNOUNCER PAT HADEN REPLACING MIKE GARRETT AS USC ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

No wonder USC has dominated Notre Dame for the past decade. The whole time they had a fucking Trojan lackey in the booth covering the Fighting Irish for NBC. Bill Dwyre of the LA Times is reporting that former NBC announcer and former USC quarterback Pat Haden will replace the controversial Mike Garrett as athletic director starting August 3rd. A formal announcement is expected later from new president Max Nikias.

Well it's about fucking time. Garrett has been running a loose ship and if anybody can bring some respectability back to USC then it's none other than Mr. Combover himself. Listen, I don't have a problem with Haden as a person. I've met him on the Notre Dame campus a few times. Nice guy and very personable and talkative. The guy is a Rhodes Scholar. He has brains. But I have no idea why he was ever hired to do commentary for Notre Dame football games. He has been on USC's board of trustees for years and he helped lead the Trojans to a come from behind 55-24 victory over Notre Dame in 1974 (despite ND having a 24-0 lead at one point).

Why Notre Dame and NBC ever let him do the commentary will always puzzle me. It would be like Steve Spurrier doing commentary for all the Georgia Bulldogs games. It would be fucking bizarre right?

Anyways good luck to Haden and dealing with the brat Lane Kiffin. I give Kiffin 3-4 years max in Los Angeles. The NCAA is coming down hard on renegade players and the programs who let them run wild. Now that Haden is gone maybe NBC can hire O.J. Simpson to do commentary. Oh wait. Never mind.

Actually they should go ahead and fire Tom Hammond while they are at it. Get somebody with some excitement in there. I'm thinking Gus Johnson would be perfect. Check it out...


Picture via LA Times

SKATEBOARD SAFETY VIDEO

Helmets and pads work great until you have a 250 pound bear of a reporter barreling down on you in the half pipe. I feel for the kid. It's not often you get Roethlisbergered while skate boarding. Years of therapy should help.

Video HT: Extra Mustard

My bad...

I owe a huge apology to anyone I have ever bragged about Yunel Escobar to and everyone I have tried to defend Escobar's skills as a player, adamantly saying that trading the young shortstop would be an awful idea. Admittedly, Yunel's last (half) year with the Bravos has been hard to swallow, but I strongly disagreed with getting rid of him, repeatedly saying his offense is just in a slump. All I can say now is thank you Frank Wren for yet another brilliant deal that no one expected and everyone is reaping the rewards.

Who would've thought that Escobar was really Hanley Ramirez's disciple? Considering Escy's one of the most talented young shortstops, scratch that, players in the game and has been steadily improving every year, who would've thought the Brave's would've pulled a Jeff Francouer and abandoned another one of our young "future face's of the Braves". Then again, who could've predicted just how selfish Escobar would play and how much of a cancer he could seemingly be inside an otherwise unbelievable club house. Bobby didn't deserve that sort of behavior during his (possible, yes, only possible) last year. Kudos to Frank Wren for doing what was necessary to not lose anything on a trade that sent someone who proved they weren't happy with being in the Brave's clubhouse away, and for once, GAINED talent in a trade.

Nothing against JoJo Reyes, the guy is uber talented and has several plus pitches, but his major league stats are almost as bad as Charlie Morton. There was no foreseeable place for Reyes within the pitching staff, especially with the likes of Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Kris Medlen, and Derek Lowe. The future is looking bright with three very young pitchers who are dominating A and AA, not to mention the "controversial" draft pick in Mike Minor who in 3 games started at Gwinnett this year is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 20 ks in 18 innings. The kid who came over in the Escobar deal, Tim Collins, already has a save in 3 games and 5 ks with 1 BB and 0 hits.

Back to Escobar, the "slump" that I was so adamant about seems a bit self imposed. Way to hit two bombs, one of them a grand slam, and actually play baseball again. It's amazing how Escy came out to talk about how he's given his all for the Braves, including this year, and he's going to "continue" to be the player that he has been his entire career now that he's with the Blue Jays... yeah... I hope the door did hit him on his way out of the clubhouse. Maybe it hit him in the head and he remembered he's Yunel Escobar and not Alex Rodriguez or Albert Pujols. Way to give it your all buddy... I hope Heyward learns a lesson from the trades of Francouer and Escobar. Wren isn't putting up with half hearted play and childish temper tantrums any longer. It's about time the "baby Braves" grew up and played in their big boy pants and Frank Wren is becoming the daddy these children needed.

On a much better note, welcome to the Bravos Alex Gonzalez and kudos Frank Wren. Now it's time for another championship for Bobby! GO BRAVOS!!!

FLORIDA GATOR MAURKICE POUNCEY GOT PAID $100K WHILE PLAYING

Former Florida Gator not only embarrassed himself on draft day by making out with his twin brother on national television but was already taking money from an agent before the Gators played in the Sugar Bowl.

Florida and NCAA officials are investigating a potential rules violation that allegedly occurred last December involving former Gators football standout Maurkice Pouncey, sources said.

Florida is internally investigating what sources described as an allegation that a representative of an agent paid Pouncey $100,000 between the Gators' loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game to Alabama and their season-ending Sugar Bowl victory over Cincinnati. Florida apprised the NCAA of the allegation after it became aware of it.

It sounds like the worst that could come from this is Florida vacating the Sugar Bowl win over Cincinnati if in fact he took the money after the SEC Championship. Urban Meyer will have a lot of questions to answer on this and I'm sure he will deflect all of it to Tim Tebow's outstanding character. Urban will now be upping his anti-anxiety medication.

This kind of shit happens all the time especially with a football factory like Florida. Agents are garbage and it wouldn't shock me to hear if another school somehow orchestrated it. Of course Pouncey is an idiot if he took the money but then again he was in a double wide for his NFL draft party so we all should have seen this guy wasn't exactly the smartest jock on the Gator's football team.

I would think not much is going to happen with this in the long run unless Florida pulls a Trojan and tries to deny, deny, and again deny anything improper happened with Pouncey and the agent. After seeing what has happened to USC it would be prudent for Florida to report everything they know to the NCAA.

THEY SHOULD PUT THIS ON "GLEE"

If this was on that horrible show on FOX then just maybe...big maybe...I would watch it. I hate musicals but I like funny. Pretty simple.

50 DAYS TILL COLLEGE FOOTBALL KICKOFF

Just get here already. Now!

STEVE CARELL AND PAUL RUDD MOCK LEBRON JAMES "DECISION"

With Brooklyn Decker and sketches like this maybe next year I will actually watch the ESPY's for the first time.

Nah.

Video HT: Gawker TV

GERMANS KNOW HOW TO DO BACK FLIP FACE PLANTS TOO

Via Deadspin via Dirty Tackle comes another video on the laws of physics. This one is from Germany. Apparently the law of physics states when celebrating a third place finish in the World Cup you can not do a sliding back flip on concrete off a BMW while waving a flag. I thought everybody knew that.

BROOKLYN DECKER AT THE ESPYS

Notice how her husband Andy Roddick was nowhere to be found? Even he knows he can't handle the heat Brooklyn Decker is bringing at the ESPY's. TheHuffingtonPost has more pictures of the future divorcee who is sure to go on a fucking rampage when she finds out Roddick is a professional tennis player and not a successful blogger/CEO like myself. Sometimes you have to follow your heart and right now mine is throbbing. Call me Brooklyn.

PHYSICS LESSON: BIG BREASTED WOMEN LIKE DANA CAN'T DO BACK FLIPS

By all means ladies you can keep trying the back flips but if ya are packing a couple of Hindenburgs up front like Dana here you might not want to try it on live television. She has a dead heat in the Zeppelin race along with a Fairchild beak and she is going to attempt a back flip? Come on girl. This had face plant written all over it. Granted I got to give her a hand for the effort. The law of physics states "big floppies can only go forward and NOT backwards to land a flip." I'm serious. Look it up if ya must.


Video HT: BarStoolSports

THE BEST COLLEGIATE TIGHT END: KYLE RUDOLPH

In case you were wondering who might the nation's best collegiate tight end be this year well I figured I would give you a little education on Notre Dame's Kyle Rudolph. Standing at 6'6 and weighing in at around 265 pounds he is not hard to miss. "Rudy" as his teammates call him completely dwarfs the stature and talent of the Notre Dame walk-on legend who became famous by being 5 foot nothing.

Last season Rudolph put in a workman-like sophomore campaign of 33 catches for 364 yards after a fine freshman season in which he earned 1st team freshman honors. This year Rudy should put up incredible numbers catching passes from QB Dayne Crist in the new spread offense. Chances are this will be his final season in South Bend with the NFL knocking at his door along with fellow junior wide receiver Michael Floyd. Floyd and Rudolph are the most deadly catching combo in the college game and defenses will be hard pressed to stop either one with former 5 star recruit Crist leading a potent quick strike offense.

New head coach Brian Kelly has plenty of talent to unleash hell fire this season with Rudolph leading the way. Expect a Mackey Award for Rudolph's trophy case along with a lot of zeroes on his paycheck from the NFL come draft time. And don't be surprised if you hear these chants this fall from the Notre Dame faithful:

RUDY!

RUDY!

RUDY!

ESPN'S J.P. RICCIARDI REACTION TO THE YUNEL ESCOBAR TRADE

So not only did the Braves get rid of a clubhouse cancer in Yunel Escobar who has not hit all season and replaced him with a guy in Alex Gonzalez who has more home runs and extra base hits then anybody in the Braves lineup but also they pick up two good prospects who could be factors in the future. Seriously, what is not to like about this trade?

Frank Wren pulled a great trade today that could wind up like the Edgar Renteria trade to the Detroit Tigers for Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez (who was later flipped for Nate McLouth). Not only is Gonzalez an instant upgrade in the offensive production categories but it sounds like relief pitcher Tim Collins could be a future Billy Wagner and shortstop Tyler Pastornicky has a chance of eventually replacing Gonzalez in the future.

And before some of you Braves fans jump on me about how Yunel Escobar was too young to get rid of and could eventually right the ship please remember the Braves ran out of patience with Frenchy last season and it hasn't hurt them yet. The Braves signed Dominican shortstop Edward Salcedo this offseason and fully expect the 18 year old will eventually be replacing Gonzalez in 2-3 years. Gonzalez has an option for next year of around $2 million that can be picked up by the club and then depending on Salcedo's production in the minors could be the Braves starting shortstop in 2012.

The Braves won in this trade. They want desperately to send Bobby Cox into retirement with a World Series ring and didn't have to mortgage any of their future.

Great job Wren.

JUST ANOTHER REASON FOR ME NOT TO LIKE THE PHILLIES

Come on Charlie Manuel. You damn well know what the fuck his name is. You tell me you can pronounce Yadier Molina and Ubaldo Jimenez without any hesitation with a straight face but somehow butcher "Prado."

How about saying "FIRST PLACE BITCH!"?

Can you say it asshole?

I didn't think so.

Manuel has the fear. The fear of the first place Bravos.

HAPPY HUMP DAY...MIRANDA KERR VIDEO

Thanks go out to Egotastic for this Victoria Secret's commercial of Miranda Kerr which is sure to cause Jergens Lotion to triple in stock value.

GOOD RIDDANCE YUNEL ESCOBAR

I will have more information on the trade later when I get in front of the computer but here is some information from Dave O'brien's blog....

The Braves have traded shortstop Yunel Escobar and minor-league pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes to the Toronto Blue Jays in a five-player deal that nets shortstop Alex Gonzalez.

The Braves began a conference call at 12:30 p.m. to discuss the deal and we’ll provide updates as they occur.

Gonzalez, 33, is in the midst of one of his finest offensive seasons.

The Braves also got left-handed minor-league pitcher Tim Collins and minor-league shortstop Tyler Pastornicky.

Gonzalez entered the All-Star break with a .259 batting average, 17 home runs, 25 doubles and 50 RBIs. Gonzalez currently ranks tied for fifth in the American League with 43 extra-base hits.

“This trade improves our club for the second half of the season,” Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren said. “We have been looking at ways to strengthen our club offensively and Alex Gonzalez is a proven veteran player who gives us added power. He is a winner and a solid offensive presence in the lineup as well as a quality defensive shortstop.”

Thank you Frank Wren. Escobar was a cancer in the clubhouse and his bat has been shit all season. I will miss his glove but I won't miss his attitude. Wren pulled off a miracle getting another shortstop in Gonzalez who has 17 bombs this year. He should fit in nicely with the Braves.

More on this trade later.

BRITISH OPEN STARTED TODAY

And clearly Tiger Woods is not a fan of albino gorillas who raid Rip Torn's closet. I have no idea who is going to win the British Open but I'm positive it won't be John Daly.

Image HT: ExtraMustard

DOUBLE RAINBOW GUY

I know this video is about 6 months old so in internet years it's ancient but I just had to post it. How the fuck did I never see this video till last night? Bin Laden has been hiding in a cave and still somehow saw it before we did. I feel like I have failed you SportsCrack nation. My bad. His reaction to the Double Rainbow across the sky was pretty much how I felt today when I heard the Braves traded Yunel Escobar. The amount of joy in my heart could not be contained. It was so intense!

So anyway here is the remix of the Double Rainbow Song...

SIMPLY DEVINE SHIRT

He doesn't see defenders on the field.

He simply sees code.

He is "Simply Devine."

Get your shirt now at our STORE PAGE for the low price of $17.

R.I.P GEORGE STEINBRENNER

Love him or hate him, you had to respect George Steinbrenner. The guy cared more about winning than the bottom line or status quo. "The Boss" as some have called him was one of the most entertaining owners in all of sports and revived a once dying franchise. The Yankees won 7 World Series Titles and 11 pennants with George as the owner. He bought the Yankees from CBS in 1973 for a net purchase price of $8.8 million dollars. Incredible to think it these days with A-Rod making that much in less than a third of the season. The Boss was eccentric and changed managers 20 times in 23 years including firing Billy Martin on five separate occasions. He called out his players, his managers, and his general managers. He was basically a crazy guy who had a lot of money who wanted nothing more than to win.

Steinbrenner will be missed. He is probably demanding Jesus to get a hair cut as we speak. Or Satan depending on your view.

Does Costanza move up the corporate ladder now?

ICHIRO MELTING HEARTS AND WETTING PANTIES

In case you were wondering I would have had the same reaction as the girl except I would have gotten down on my knees and cupped Ichiro. It's only polite.

TO SEND YOU OFF THIS WEEKEND: MEL GIBSON'S OFFENSIVE RANT

NSFW


I don't think I will ever want to piss off Mel Gibson. He literally takes everything to heart. Who knew William Wallace could be so mean? I just watched "Edge of Darkness" last night and I could see the intensity in his eyes. I guess he doesn't know when to shut off the whole "acting" gig and brings his work to home.

NEVERMIND CLIFF LEE TO THE RANGERS NOW

That whole story I wrote earlier about the injustice of Cliff Lee going to the Yankees...well...ignore it because the Mariners pulled the fuck you card and nixed the deal. Instead they have now traded to Cliff Lee to the first place Texas Rangers. At least I think they have.

Here is the deal: "The M's sent Lee and reliever Mark Lowe to Texas for first baseman Justin Smoak and minor leaguers Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke and Matthew Lawson.

The Mariners will also send $2.5 million to the Rangers to subsidize the $4 million still owed to Lee. Texas has financial limitations due to bankruptcy hearings associated with the sale of the team."

The Mariners really wanted Smoak and who can blame them. The Rangers didn't include him in their original offer but then decided to throw him in to get Lee before the Yankees deal could be completed. Smoak looks like a future 30 plus home run, 120 RBI producing first baseman with 10-15 years of service time left in him. He could be their next Mark Texwhateverthefuckhisnameis. The prospects they got also look better with Beavan putting up really nice pitching stats in AAA.

Of course the Yankees are pissed off because they thought they had a deal in place. They are actually in Seattle right now getting ready to play tonight. I can just see it now. They are the spoiled child who doesn't want to eat his broccoli. Fuck em is what I say. The ice cream that is Cliff Lee's arm is now in Texas mother fuckers. Have fun with that broccoli known as Javier Vasquez.

[Picture via AP]

THE IOWA DRUNKEYES

Iowa defensive end and the awesomely named Broderick Binns was arrested last night in one of those mighty Midwest cornfields for DUI. Binns is only two weeks shy of his 21st which means he can drive drunk plenty of times without fear of being caught with a fake ID. It's the little things that count.

This is now the third alcohol-related incident in just over a month for the Hawkeyes football program. Moderation means nothing to these boys...

Binns’ arrest is the third alcohol-related infraction in just more than a month involving Hawkeye football players.

Sophomore running back Jewel Hampton and junior cornerback Jordan Morris-Bernstine were charged with public intoxication in early June. Hampton, 20, also was cited for being in a licensed liquor establishment after hours, in violation of Iowa City’s new 21-only ordinance that took effect June 1.

Binns is a starter and will still be the starter in 2010 once he receives some community service. He reportedly blew a .097 which in alcoholic terms equates to rookie free agent status. I could blow that farting in other words.

Even with the arrest the Hawkeyes are still my preseason favorite to knock off the Buckeyes. You know why? Because of the other defensive end on the opposite side of Binns. ADRIAN FUCKING CLAYBORN.

CLIFF LEE TRADED TO THE YANKEES FOR PROSPECTS

MLBTradeRumors is reporting that the New York Yankees are closing on a deal to acquire starting pitcher Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners for highly regarded and probably extremely overrated catching prospect Jesus Montero, second baseman David Adams, and lefty starter Zach McAllister.

Seriously?

The Yankees are getting away with murder here. Cliff Lee is one of the 5 best starters in the majors and is money come playoff time. Adding Lee to a rotation that already includes former Indians teammate C.C. Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes, and AJ Burnett is just plain sickening. No team should be able to have much less afford all five of those starters in their rotation. In case you wondering, this move pretty much solidifies the Yankees as the odds on favorite to win the World Series this year.

I don't know what the Mariners are thinking with this move. Lee is a free agent after this season and yes they will lose him to someone else this offseason but they should be able to get more for him. He will be a Type A free agent which means you get two conditional first round draft picks if he signs elsewhere. This means you can get as good of prospects as Montero and Adams in the draft without handing over Lee on a silver platter for the pinstripes. The Twins apparently are willing to part with better prospects in OF Aaron Hicks, catcher Wilson Ramos, and another yet unnamed prospect. Why not make that deal?

With the acquisition of Lee this means the Yankees will look to trade starter Javier Vasquez to another contender. Vasquez has put up solid numbers everywhere he has played except in New York during his two stints there. With the way shit works in these trades don't be surprised if they trade him to Tampa for Longoria and Crawford.

Anywho, the Yankees got better again today because they can take on a $200 million plus payroll with the Lee trade. Good for them. Bad for baseball.

TENNESSEE FOOTBALL PLAYERS SEEM NICE

Now this how you build team unity. With a massive bar fight. Hell yeah!

The co-owner of a nightclub near the University of Tennessee campus said “seven to 10” Volunteers football players were involved in a fight at the establishment early Friday.

DeBusk said 18-year-old freshman receiver Da’Rick Rogers from Calhoun, Ga., was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. DeBusk also said a bar patron was sent to a hospital after the fight.

According to the New Sentinel, DeBusk said Knoxville police officer Robert Capouellez was found unconscious on the street outside the bar after the fight around 2 a.m. DeBusk said the officer was not in uniform or on duty, and he was being treated for a head injury. A half-dozen other people were detained.

Rogers was the No. 9-ranked high school player in the country last year. He picked UT late in the recruiting process after being committed to Georgia for almost a year. According to reports, UT safety Darren Myles, defensive tackle Montori Hughes and receiver Denarius Moore were being questioned by police about the brawl.

Bar Knoxville co-owner Sandy Morton told the Times Free Press the fight started inside but spread outside, and it ended with an off-duty police officer knocked unconscious in Cumberland Avenue.

Bar fights happen all the time. It's a part of college as much as initiation and roofies in SEC Country. This whole fight could have been handled internally within the Tennessee football program and the local PD until owner Morton decided to leave this out there for the NCAA to stick their nose into...

“Basically, it was a normal Thursday night — Thursday’s our big night,” Morton said. “We had all the UT football players come in. They’re on a first-name basis with my husband (and co-owner), and they get VIP status, which means they pay no cover at the door. We’ve never had a problem with them in the past, but tonight, apparently they had a falling out with another gentleman. I don’t know why. I don’t know what happened, but several of the guys started beating up the other customer. I want to guess there was seven to 10 guys beating up this one gentleman.

“All they said was these several gentlemen just started beating the tar out of this one,” she said. “There was blood. There was ripped shirts. It took pretty much all my security to get them out.”

In general the NCAA has a hard time with football players accepting VIP status which means they don't pay anything. In short it can be construed as a gift. Now we all know this sort of thing happens all over campuses. Athletes get preferential treatment. No big news there. What doesn't happen is a bunch of football players beating up a person to the point where the victim has to go to the hospital.

New head coach Derek Dooley has his work cut out for him on this incident. He will need to spin it. Luckily he has practiced law before starting his coaching career. His bull shit skills should be outstanding.

I got a new nickname for the Tennessee football program: "ROADHOUSE."