Mashed Potatoes

Anyone care to join me for some Mashed Potatoes? Mashed Potatoes of the sports world that is. Let me give you a spoon full of some of the random sports news that caught my eye this past week. Our Mashed Potatoes consist of a pot full of Brett Favre, a table spoon of Vincent Lecavalier, a pinch of Toronto Argos (CFL), Ted Nolan extract, and a dash of the Texas Rangers.

Brett Favre!

Yes yet another piece of a blog this week about Brett Favre. Mr. Favre this past week has expressed more then just interest in coming out of retirement to play another season. A three-time MVP, he leads the league with 442 touchdown passes, 61,655 yards passing and 160 career victories. He started 253 consecutive regular season games, more than any other quarterback in history. Including the playoffs, his streak stands at 275. He definitely warrants a lot of respect. Brett asked for his unconditional release from the Pack. The Packers Organization has refused to grant Favre his wish. I can understand. They were left in limbo the past 3 offseasons waiting for Favre to decide whether he was going to retire or play another season. They gave him the respect warranted for a guy of his caliber. Apparently GM Ted Thompson and Coach Mike McCarthy were ready to fly out to Mississippi to talk with Brett about a comeback when they found out about his feelings. Favre didn't say yes, nor did he reply immediately. According to McCarthy this is what Brett said to him in a phone call. "He said he appreciated all the planning we were going to do," McCarthy said. "But he felt that at this point, he had reached a point of closure, to use his words, and he was going to stick with his initial decision." Boy if those aren't mixed signals, I don't know what are! McCarthy had another phone conversation with Favre on June 20th where Brett said "Give me my helmet or give me my release." Brett you retired sir. The team had to move on. I would have to call the Packers organization insane, to wait and see if someone goes back on there decision about retirement. The Packers did the right thing by moving forward, preparing for life without Brett Favre! I can only imagine the surprise when he clearly states to you hes sticking with his initial decision to retire. And then to come back and say he wants his helmet or his release. Whats that about? I can't even begin to imagine what its like to retire from a sport you love and played for years. However, you have to have some sort of respect for the team you played for and lead for many years, and gave you the same respect! I agree with the Packers to not just release Brett. And I also agree with them stating he will be back up to Rodgers. They had to move on. Its not fair to Rodgers to get booted from his spot just because Favre wants to play again. Fight it out in traning camp and pre season. If Brett is clearly better let him be your guy. And if you really are gung ho on Rodgers then let him take the reigns. If he fails you've got Brett there to take his spot. I am skeptical about Rodgers myself. I'm not sure if he'll be that great. Brett! My advice to you. Take that opportunity and back up Rodgers, be his mentor. If he falters you are the guy.

Vincent Lecavalier

Tampa Bay Lightning have signed franchise player Vinny Lecavalier to an 11 year contract worth 85 million dollars! Lecavalier will earn $10-million per season in salary and bonuses for the first six seasons of the deal, before dropping to $8.5-million in 2016-2017, $4-million in 2017-2018, $1.5-million in 2018-2019 and $1-million and 2019-2020. This contract will take him to his 40th birthday! Vinny is as happy as pie. Here is what he had to say about the deal. ''I'm proud and honored to be committing myself to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the rest of my NHL career. It's no secret how I feel about the organization, the fans and the Tampa Bay community, and there's no place else I'd rather be."

In September 2006 Islanders GM Garth Snow signed goaltender Rick DiPietro to a 15 year deal worth 67 million dollars. Personally I think these contracts are insane. Taking these players to there 40th birthdays!?!?! Now what happens if the player gets a career ending injury? Or you need to trade them for some reason? Their play steadily declines as they age? You are stuck with paying these players money they may not even be rightfully earning! Personally I think anything past 5 years is insane. You can not predict the future and how a player is going to continue to preform. Again its insane to commit to a player for that long, for that amount of money. As you get older your skills diminish, it doesn't matter how in shape you are as you age your body deteriorates. And sure you may be able to still play. Look at Gary Roberts! I guess the only thing I can say is they appropriately decreased his earnings as the years go on. I'll congratulate Vinny for being able to take advantage of a deal like this. He doesn't have to worry about being moved all over the place, hes there for his career!

Toronto Agros CFL

Normally I could careless about the CFL. However this really strikes a nerve. The Argos acquired QB Kerry Joseph in the offseason. They still had Mike Bishop, who took over for Damon Allen last year. Bishop had a great season, his best to date. The Argos coach rotated both Joseph and Bishop in the seasons first two games. Bishop was originally named the starter. Joseph, upset went and spoke to management. Now both are going to take reps in a game. Thats absurd. How do you have any cohesion? How do players get used to a certain type of play when your switching in and out QB's? That is not a recipe for success as far as i'm concerned. Looks to me like the Argos brass have no balls. If Bishop clearly out played Joseph in the pre season, then so be it, he is your starter. Joseph will have to EARN his spot. I think this is a disaster in the making. Then the Argos go and put Bishop on waivers. What a slap in the face. If I was Bishop I would be royally ticked off. He played hard and earned his spot. Now because the "Outstanding Player of the Year" didn't get the starting spot, he goes and whines and gets his way. Wow, thats all I have to say. Thats not how to run a team. Simple as that. Pull your heads out of your arse.

Ted Nolan

This poor guy has no luck at all. The, now, former New York Islanders head coach was let go today. Garth Snow, the Islanders GM, is stating philosophical differences. I really like Nolan. He gets guys to play, hes a motivator. Its too bad, Nolan has had terrible luck coaching in the NHL. He was released by the Sabres back in 1997. He had a hard time getting a coaching job until 2005-2006 when he coached the Moncton Wildcats. The Islanders brought in Nolan the next year. Good luck in your endeavors Teddy!!!

Texas Rangers

HOLY RANGERS BATMAN!?!?! Ian Kinsler is on a 25 game hit streak. Michael Young was on a 13 game hit streak. They have the leader in RBI's, Josh Hamilton. Hamilton has a league leading 95 RBI. BEFORE THE ALL STAR BREAK. Thats amazing. David Murphy is on fire of late as well. Although the Rangers are only 4 games over 500, they could really heat up and still make the playoffs. Grats to Kinsler, keep it going.

Thats all the Mashed Potatoes I have for you today. I hope you enjoyed them. Now go hit the gym and work off those carbs.

Have a great week. Thanks for reading.

Something is Chapping My A**......

.....and I need to get it off my chest!

OKAY, so lets start with this. Brian Burke and Kevin Lowe haven't been the best of buddies. Brian Burke was incensed by Lowes offer sheet to Dustin Penner last year. The offer made it impossible for Burke to match. Lowe offered Penner 5.5 million dollars. If Burke wanted to keep guys like Getzlaf and Perry he had to let Penner walk.

OKAY! Burke was PEEEEEEE'OD. I can understand why. Lowe had also offered Sabres forward Tomas Vanek 7+ million a year and Buffalo matched it. Lowe was fishing for something. I don't care what anyone says. He had a terrible year and was losing players left and right. He needed to make an impact...somehow. This was his only option. I don't agree with it. You offer outrageous contracts to players who don't deserve it...yet...or maybe ever, and force the current teams to pay out there butts if they want to keep the player. I know its allowed, it just doesn't sit well with me.

OKAY. Lowe got Penner. Burke was torqued and fired some words Lowes way. He made some comments a few times through out the year. And then last week, Burke went at Lowe again. This time Lowe fired back. Yes Burke should have shut his mouth. And he should just forget about it, move on. However what torques me is Lowes comments back and ALL THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP SAYING BURKE IS A TERRIBLE GM!!! AND HOW LOWE IS SOOOOO MUCH BETTER!

"The reality is, Rick Nash's contract a number of years ago, and (Patrice) Bergeron's and (Ilya) Kovalchuk's; that sets the standard - that's been going on for decades." - Kevin Lowe.

Right it has been going on for decades. But how can you compare Penner with Nash, Bergeron or Kovalchuk? Lowe is raising the lower level players contracts, so when guys like Nash and Kovalchuk are due for a contract and they were making 7+ million a year and a player of lesser talents is making 5-7 million a year, those players go, HEY, if I am a superstar, shouldn't I be making a lot more then these guys? Thats how it starts. Its not the only case. You get a GM who offers a guy like Mats Sundin 10 million a year. Lowe isn't out of the hot seat as far as i'm concerned.

"He's an underachieving wanna-be in terms of success in the NHL. He won a Stanley Cup? Great. I've won six Stanley Cups, you want to count rings?" - Kevin Lowe

Right you have won 6 rings...AS A FRICKEN PLAYER!!! Brian Burke NEVER played an NHL game in his life. How can you compare a players success to a GM? Its like comparing apples to oranges. Yes Kevin you do have 6 rings. Do you have any as a GM? Burke does. No matter how sad of a GM, Lowe or any of you think Burke is he has a ring, AS A GM. What has Lowe done as a GM?

-Lowe has been GM of the Oilers since 2000.
-Of the 7 years as GM, the Oilers have made the playoffs 3 of those years.
-Missed the playoffs 4 times.
-Got knocked out of the playoffs in round 1 two of the three years.
-The one success was getting to the Cup Final in 2006.
-Stupidest move as GM: Letting Ryan Smyth go, then offering Penner the same money that Smyth wanted.

What Burke has done as GM.

-Burke was a GM in Hartford for one year in 1992. He was hired by Vancouver in 1998. He was let go by the Nucks in 2004. Burke went to Anaheim and is currently there.
-In Vancouver for 6 years, they made the playoffs 4 times, missed twice.
-In Anaheim for 2 years, they made the playoffs both years and won the Cup in 2007.
-Of the 6 years in the playoffs, his teams lost in round 1 4 times, round 2 once and won a Cup.
-Stupidest move as GM: I'm gonna say trading Andy McDonald for Doug Weight.

So if Burke is "an underachieving wanna-be in terms of success in the NHL", then what does that make Lowe?

I'm gonna let you guys answer that.

So I compared the only numbers you can COMPARE fairly. Looks like Burke and Lowe are pretty even.

Let the stats talk, its like the evidence in a murder case. You can say what you want but the numbers talk.

I am just sick of people out right being jerks about this. I'm pretty sure I've seen a number of you all say a few years back Burke was a great GM. So because Burke can't let go of it, and Lowe fires back with some insane comments, everyone writes off Burke? Oh right. I forgot, there are a ton of sports fans who just go the way of whats "popular" consensus.

Here are some comments I have been seeing about Burke.

"Which is so true. We're floundering cause our farm is not very deep and we had a number of bloated contracts that are finally starting to come off the books. All thanks to Burke!!"

"At least when Burke jumps ship to Toronto he won't leave the Ducks in that situation. He'll have almost nobody signed."

So which is it? Sounds like no matter what he does it isn't good enough?

"He certainly has made a lot smarter moves in Anaheim than he did while in Vancouver; signed Getzlaf, signed Perry, trader for Pronger, did not match Penner offer, all good moves."

Seems to me like Burke has come to the same level as the Maple Leafs. Anytime the name is mentioned there is joke or some demeaning comment towards it. There are people holding him to one bad move....the Bertuzzi signing. SO WHAT! Did he pay him too much money, yeah, did he take care of it this year, yeah, he bought him out. As for leaving Vancouver with nothing, I am unsure of what he did to leave them with nothing. This also reminds me of the Bertuzzi situation with Moore how everyone just wrote him off and he was the worst thing since Satan. Look at the situation, IN FULL.

I don't really feel better, but atleast I got it out. I'm sick of fickle sports fans.

The ONLY people I don't mind hating Burke is the Oilers following. They are only supporting Lowe and there team. BUT PLEASE pull your head out your a** and really look at it.

I'm not doing this because I have something against the Oilers or Lowe, I happen to like the Oilers.

Thanks for reading. Sorry if I offended anyone.

Take A Ride In The Hot Seat!

What do you think it would be like to be the GM of your favorite team? What moves would you make? Could you handle the pressure? As fans we all critique the moves our teams make. Was it good deal? Did we give up too much or not get enough? At the same time though I am soooooo glad some of the Leafs fans aren't GM's. I could only imagine what that would be like. If you know recent Leafs history, you'd know that Pat Quinn to John Ferguson Jr. started a terrible terrible trend. I strongly agree its rubbed off on A LOT of Leaf fans. I believe that every sports franchise that ever existed has had a moron in office.I'm sure every one of you can point out a stretch of a year, or years where your teams struggled due to the stupid decisions made up top. Wishing we could just get in there, make some moves and pull the team out of the toilet. Give me some examples of stupidity from the management of your favorite team, or even a decision that stands out in your mind that had nothing to do with your team. I am going to list off a few moves that I thought were amazing and ones that were terrible and should never be spoken of. Feel free to join me. I will be mainly focusing on NHL as I am most knowledgeable in this area.

Interesting Trades

Here is a very recent trade made at the NHL trading deadline 2008.
To Pittsburgh: Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis
To Atlanta: Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito and a 1st Round Pick
-This trade was an interesting trade in my opinion. For the Pens they got one of the leagues best snipers and a role player. However they lost highly touted prospect Esposito and a first round pick in 2008 (Daultan Leveille) as well as two players who were coming into their own. As we look back at this trade now, Atlanta cleaned up. In the end the Pens lost Hossa, Esposito and a 1st Round Pick. Sometimes the gamble doesn't always pay off.

This was a beautiful blockbuster trade. Great for both sides.
To Ottawa Senators: Dany Heatley
To Atlanta Thrashers: Marian Hossa and Greg de Vries
-I remember when I first seen it go down, I was in complete denial. I said Hossa was better then Heater.

Daryl Sutter used his super spidey senses when he made this trade.
To Calgary Flames: Miikka Kipprusoff
To San Jose Sharks: 2nd round pick in 2005
-Nah, he wasn't really using his spidey senses but he knew from when he was with the Sharks organization this guy was a diamond in the rough.

For once the Isle's did something right.
To New York Islanders: Jason Blake
To Los Angeles Kings: Conditional pick in 2002
-A mis-evaluation on skill from LA's points of view. Blake has gone on to do very well.

Here is an interesting trade, these two teams met in the Cup final that year.
To Edmonton: Bill Ranford, Geoff Courtnall and futures
To Boston: Andy Moog
-Maybe this trade gave Edmonton a little more powerful team.

Interesting how the system was back then.
St. Louis traded Scott Stevens to New Jersey as compensation for Blues
signing Brendan Shanahan.
-Not sure why the decided to trade Stevens though. Did you really have to give up that much for signing someone?

Just figured this was an interesting trade. Pretty even, except the slapshot.
To St. Louis: Al MacInnis and a 4th round pick in 1997
To Calgary: Phil Housley and 2nd round picks in 1996 and 1997

I think this trade only solidified the Pens Cup chances. Already having Super Mario, Jagr, Stevens, Recchi, Trotter
and then to add these guys!!!
To Pittsburgh: Ron Francis, Grant Jennings and Ulf Samuelsson
To Hartford: John Cullen, Zarley Zalapski and Jeff Parker
-Those 90-92 Pens teams were stocked with amazing talent.

Knucklehead Award!

This trade was severely lopsided for the Kings, not sure what they were thinking.
To Rangers: Marcel Dionne, Jeff Crossman and a 3rd round pick in 1989
To Los Angeles: Bob Carpenter and Tom Laidlaw
-Yeah I'm not sure, what was going on here.

Seems there a few teams that have been stuck in severe decision nightmares.
To St. Louis: Brett Hull and Steve Bozek
To Calgary: Rob Ramage and Rick Wamsley
-WOW!!! Way to trade a franchise player away, with a LONG career still ahead.

Edmonton's BIGGEST "i have to dump salary move" EVER!
To Los Angeles: Wayne Gretzky, Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski
To Edmonton: Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, and Kings' 1st round picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993 and cash
-How heartbreaking!!!! The only decent player Edmonton got out of those picks was Jason Arnott. I guess I should give Gelinas some credit.

If this wasn't a blockbuster trade. I don't know what is. And for Philly to only take ONE player.
To Quebec Nordiques: Peter Forsberg, Ron Hextall, Mike Ricci, Steve
Ducheshe, Kerry Huffman, Chris Simon, Flyers' 1st round picks in 1993 and 1994 Entry Draft.
To Philadelphia Flyers: Eric Lindros
-Just think where Philly would have or could have been if they didn't trade all that talent for ONE guy. I would have to say this was a very very bad trade. You don't EVER trade that much talent for one guy!

Don't ever leave your star goaltender out to dry in a game. He gets very mad and demands a trade.
To Colorado: Patrick Roy and Mike Keane
To Montreal: Andrei Kovalenko, Jocelyn Thibault and Martin Rucinsky
-Kovalenko, Thibault and Rucinksy were all great pick ups for Montreal, just nothing like Roy.

I don't think anything is ever enough for "The Great One"
To St. Louis: Wayne Gretzky
To Los Angeles: Craig Johnson, Patrice Tardif, Roman Vopat, a 5th round pick in 1996, and a 1st round pick in 1997 (Matt Zultek).
-Not sure why LA didn't ask for Pronger or someone better then the people they got in return.

And here is another bonehead trade from Mad Mike Milbury!
To Flordia Panthers: Roberto Luongo and Olli Jokinen
To New York Islanders: Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha
-Two all stars to the Panthers for two so-so consistent at what they do players. Just think how good the Isles could be if Mike wouldn't have traded away all that talent. And just been patient.

Another Islanders disaster trade.
To New York Islanders: Olli Jokinen, Josh Green, Mathieu Biron, and King's 4th round pick in 1999.
To Los Angeles Kings: Ziggy Palffy, Bryan Smolinski, and Marcel Cousineau
-I'm not sure if hes the king of bad trades, but hes sure not far behind.

Mad Mike Milbury, is a genius. Of terrible trades that is.
To Ottawa Senators: Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt, and the Islanders 1st round pick.
To New York Islanders: Alexei Yashin
-Ottawa ended up with the 2nd pick that year. Guess who they drafted? Jason Spezza! Yashin has underachieved for years now.

In hind sight, this trade put the Av's in the fast lane for the cup.
To Colorado Avalanche: Rob Blake, Steven Reinprecht
To Los Angeles Kings: Adam Deadmarsh, Aaron Miller Colorado's 1st round pick in 2001 and a cond. pick. The Kings could also choose a player off Colorado's prospects list.
-This trade proved well for the Av's. They got rid of both Deadmarsh and Miller who really didn't do a whole lots after this trade. Reinprecht fit right in with Sakic, Forsberg, Hejduk, Drury, and Tanguay.

This trade for me was heart breaking, not only for fans of the team but for the player involved.
To New York Islanders: Ryan Smyth
To Edmonton Oilers: Robert Nilsson, Ryan O'Marra and a a 1st round pick in 2007 (Alex Plante)
-The heart and soul of the team, Ryan Smyth, traded away because the two sides were .5 million dollars off of a contract agreement. Smyth wanted 5.5, Lowe wanted to give him 5 million. Oilers GM goes out in the off season and signs restricted free agent, Dustin Penner, for.....guess how much? 5.5 million dollars!!!!!! A player who has played 101 career games, and has 52 career points. The only credit I will give Lowe on this is he got some young guys out of it. One of which (Nilsson) had a decent season.

Here the one move I think Brian Burke was on crack for.
To Ducks: Doug Weight, Michal Birner, and a 7th round pick in 2008
To Blues: Andy McDonald
- HELLO!!! Your #1 Center and a star for years to come? For an old guy near the end of his career. Enough said!

After a few years of fans in Boston pointing fingers and this All-Star being blamed for the failures, This big one happened
To San Jose Sharks: Joe Thornton
To Boston Bruins: Marco Sturm, Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau
-Complete winner was San Jose on this one. I mean Sturm hasn't done anything worth mentioning in Boston. Stuart was traded to the Flames and is now in Detroit. Primeau is also a Flame.

Here is one of Edmonton's famous, "we have to dump salary, which means good bye our best players" moves.
To Edmonton Oilers: Jochen Hecht, Marty Reasoner, Jan Horacek.
To St. Louis Blues: Doug Weight, Michael Reisen
-Its too bad Edmonton had to trade away so many great players, they could have won many more cups, I guess its just the nature of the beast.

Heres another great decision by the Flames brass that killed them in the 90's.
To Colorado Avalanche: Theo Fleury and Chris Dingman
To Calgary Flames: Rene Corbet, Wade Belak, and future considerations.
-WADE BELAK!!! He is soooo useless. Looking back on it though, Theo didn't do too much, except drink and find himself in rehab.

I think the Sens knew what was to come. And took full advantage of Philly
To Ottawa: Vaclav Prospal, Pat Falloon and Dallas' 2nd round pick (previously acquired) in 1998
To Philadelphia: Alexandre Daigle
-Prospal did very well in Ottawa. Daigle flittered and fluttered....to an acting career.

Leaf Highs and Lows

This one just makes me smile. Thank you hockey gods for getting rid of this waste of skin.
To Florida: Wade Belak
To Toronto: 2008 5th Round Pick
-Naming this one is just out of pure joy.

OH YEAH, this trade was magnificent. Flames GM must have been taking some good ecstasy.
To Calgary Flames: Gary Leeman, Craig Berube, Michel Petit, Alexander Godynyuk and Jeff Reese
To Toronto Maple Leafs: Doug Gilmour, Jamie Macoun, Ric Nattress, Kent Manderville and Rick Wamsley.
-Just look at that, Dougie, Macoun, Nattress and Manderville!!!!! Where the heck is my CUP!?!?!?!?!

This was a nice trade by the Leafs.
To Buffalo: Grant Fuhr and future considerations
To Toronto: Dave Andreychuk, Darren Puppa and a 1st round pick in 1993
(Kenny Jonsson)
-They were on fire this year. But they couldn't get passed the Conference final. They would have had it all.

This was about the future and thinking young. What happened!!!
To Toronto: Alyn McCauley, Steve Sullivan and Jason Smith
To New Jersey: Doug Gilmour, Dave Ellett and a cond. pick.
-Leafs got some serious talent there, all of which ended up gone.

One of JFJ's brilliant moves
To Toronto Maple Leafs: Brian Leetch
To New York Rangers: Maxim Kondratiev, Jarkko Immonen, a 1st round pick in 2004 and a 2nd round pick in 2005
-These moves are why Toronto has a very very slim talent pool to pick from.

Lets chalk one more on his list.
To Toronto Maple Leafs: Owen Nolan
To San Jose Sharks: Alyn McCauley, Brad Boyes, and a 1st round pick in
2003
-Here we lose Boyes and another 1st round pick. Boyes has now gone on to rip it up with Boston and St. Louis.

Another gem of a trade by John Ferguson Jr.
To Phoenix Coyotes: Mikael Tellqvist
To Toronto Maple Leafs: Tyson Nash and a 4th round pick (Matt Frattin) in 2007
-If your going to trade your best back up goaltender, you'd better be getting something better then Tyson Nash in return.

This was a Quinn Era trade.
To Toronto Maple Leafs: Travis Green, Robert Riechel, Craig Mills
To Phoenix Coyotes: Danny Markov
-Yes Phoenix trade your old guys over to the Leafs and get one of there best Defense men. Markov continues to play solid hockey while the three mentioned in the trade aren't around.

EEKKKK!
To Rangers: Matthieu Schneider
To Toronto: Alexander Karpovstev and 4th round pick in 1999 (Mirko Murovic)
-A great defense men for a terrible one.

Enough hockey already. Lets check out some of Baseballs joyous boneheads.


I have to just laugh at this one.
To Houston Astros: Curt Schilling, Pete Harnisch and Steve Finley
To Baltimore Orioles: Glenn Davis.
-Schilling, one of the best pitchers in recent history, AND Finley a great outfielder. All because O's management was impatient?

Lets take a look at this one.
To Boston Red Sox: Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek
To Seattle Mariners: Heathcliff Slocumb
-Who is Heathcliff Slocumb? By the way, nice first name man. HOT!

This one involves Sammy "I use cork bat and roids" Sosa.
To Chicago White Sox: Wilson Alvarez, Sammy Sosa and Scott Fletcher
To Texas Rangers: Harold Baines and Fred Manrique.
-I've heard this one is the worst in Rangers history. lol.

I now know where the Twins got some of there pitching power.
To Minnesota Twins: Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano, and Boof Bonser.
To San Fransisco Giants: AJ Pierzynski

This one takes the cake I think.
To New York Yankees: Babe Ruth
To Boston Red Sox: MONEY
-OH OH WHY?!?!?! So you could finance a fricken musical!

Anyone for a dose of NFL's lopsided loony bins?

I had no idea Brett Favre was a Falcon.
To Green Bay Packers: Brett Favre
To Atlanta Falcons: 1st round pick.
-Thats just too funny.

Lets look at the Herschel Walker trade? THE TRADE!!!
To Minnesota Vikings: Herschel Walker
Dallas's 3rd round pick - 1990 Mike Jones
San Diego's 5th round pick - 1990 Reggie Thornton
Dallas's 10th round pick - 1990 Pat Newman
Dallas's 3rd round pick - 1991 Jake Reed
To Dallas Cowboys: Jesse Solomon, David Howard, Issiac Holt, Darrin Nelson, Alex Stewart
Minnesota's 1st round pick in 1990 Emmitt Smith
Minnesota's 2nd round pick in 1990 Alexander Wright
Minnesota's 1st round pick in 1991 Pat Harlow
Minnesota's 2nd round pick in 1991 Darryll Lewis
Minnesota's 2nd round pick in 1992 Darren Woodson
-Well I would have to vote this is THE MOST lopsided trade I have ever seen. This trade paved the way for Dallas's Super bowl dreams.

Lets finish off with some loopy Basketball managers.

Whats with managers sending top players away for just cash?
To Philadelphia 76ers: 3 million dollars
To New Jersey Nets: Julius Erving
-Apparently 76ers owner was strongly influenced by stupidity?

A Scotchy Scotch Scotch for Jordan.
To Chicago Bulls: Scottie Pipen, 1st round draft pick
To Seattle Sonics: Olden Polynice, 1st round draft pick, and second-round pick and the option to switch first-round picks in 1989.
-Way to put the Bulls over the top.

Holy is that ever a list of crazy trades huh? It amazes me how dumb struck some managers can get. How can you really in good faith and in right mind make some of these trades? I guess we'll never know. We can just guess and wonder. Now that I've finished my novel at this time, lets see some of your favorite/worst/interesting transactions!

Evacuation

This blog really has nothing to do sports related-wise. I have been watching the news the past while, and the fires here in Canada and in California has compelled me to write. I remember a few years back a forest fire raging out of control hit not too far from home. The memory is what sparked my mind.

It seems for the past 4-5 years there have been fires raging out of control in California. Threating homes, the people who live in them, animals, and the brave firefighters who are out there working their tails off to stop the chaos. I don't know how there is anything left to burn in California. I am exaggerating, however one has to think if every year for a long span of years 300+ forest fires are burning how long until there is nothing left to burn? It seems to me from what I remember from the past years these fires weren't quite as near as the raging fires this year. Dozens have lost homes and from the horrid pictures on the news and how close the fires are to homes and small communities more are going to lose homes. I feel for these people. I can't imagine how devastating it would be to be evacuated from your home, sitting at a shelter with your family, wondering is our home ok? Will all our memories and belongs be in a pile of ashes and debris? How devastating would that be? My heart goes out to those people who have lost homes, who are in shelters, and all those who foolishly refuse to leave there homes. I wish and hope for the best, I pray for safety for those brave men out there fighting and the brave who have decided to ignore the evacuation calls.

As I had mentioned above, a fire hit close to home a few years back. Not literally my home, but my Step Mom, my sisters and my Grandparents. I did happen to be visiting at the time. A fire was started by lightning. This area is mountainous with a lot of trees. My Grandparents home was near the top of a hill , one of the last houses on that hill. The fire raged closer and closer as the days went on. They were evacuated as well as everyone in the little town. The firefighters worked non stop keeping the houses damp and working the front lines trying to keep it from coming any closer. And it did creep closer. The town was prepared for the worst. It was coming, it was going to wipe out some homes. Miraculously the water the firefighters were soaking the homes and the bordering trees with literally warded off the fire long enough and then the wind changed. No homes were lost. It was amazing. The scenery of the mountains was crazy, burned black to the ground for miles. It is really neat though to see it all slowly coming back each time I go visit.

So all we can do it hope and pray these people have the same luck and some way some how peoples homes are spared by these devastating fires.

Thanks for reading. Take a moment and say a small prayer for these people affected.