Brew Crew Buzz

Once again this year, it appears the Brewers will take us on another ride to a possible postseason berth. There are many rumblings and grumbling surrounding the Brewers, so let's talk about a few of them here.
First off, the undoing of this team, mark my words, is Rickie Weeks. One year ago you would have said I was off my rocker for making this statement. However, it appeared that Weeks had his wrist issues behind him, his fielding issues behind him, and he was starting to hit like the Rickie Weeks he was in college, when the Brewers took him with a top 5 pick. I've always been a fan of Weeks, and was very excited for him this season, until his injury. Only time will tell as to how difficult it will be to come back from this latest injury. From what I've heard, he should be fine, as it's the same exact injury he suffered to his other wrist and that seems to be just fine.
Now, on to the current roster. Bill Hall appears to be done like a doughnut. Why he sees any significant time is beyond me. I think it's time to make Gamel our everyday 3rd baseman and just live with the errors he may make early. He's going to hit, he just needs to play every day. I know it's tough to throw a rookie into the fire with a playoff team, but it can't be worse than Bildo playing the hot corner. Weeks' injury has forced this issue as otherwise, they could have platooned Counsell and Bill at 3rd and kept Gamel in AAA. The only other way I see it working is it they find a way to pull the trigger on the deal for Mark DeRosa from Cleveland to play 2nd base everyday. All I know is nobody is taking Bildo with the contract he has. I know it's up after next season, but he gets paid far too much for a guy batting .220.
Lastly, is the Jake Peavy issue. I would love to acquire this guy to shore up this pitching staff. Gallardo, great, Bush, over-achieving, Looper, good 4th-5th starter, Suppan, cross your fingers, and Parra, he's horrid. Put a fork in that D-bag, he's done. I think that's it's nearly impossible for the Brewers to get Peavy because they are less likely to give up the prospects that San Diego is going to want in return. I heard they wanted Alcides Escobar who is the SS of the future, and other prospects, possibly Gamel or Brett Lawrie another stud in the making down on the farm. Even though Peavy is friends with Trevor Hoffman and Ryan Braun, he's not coming to Milwaukee anytime soon. If he does, then I don't think I'm going to like what we've given up.
** I also just read online that the Tigers, Red Sox and one other team have inquired about Corey Hart. I say, anything we can get for Hart, is a good deal. If we can get an another outfielder or 2nd baseman and a minor leaguer for Hart, good riddance. He's just too shaky at the plate. Throw him breaking balls off the plate and he's the easiest out in the league.

Summer Sports

Well, summer is almost here. Well, that's what the calendar tells us, but the weather doesn't seem to want warm up and stay there. As summer approaches, many of us get excited about spending time outside as that beautiful weather is limited in Wisconsin. But what sports to you get most excited about? Are you a religous watcher of the Brewers? Or do you tune in weekly for NASCAR or the PGA Tour? What events do you most look forward to in the summer months?
As you know, I watch pretty closely what is happening in Brew Town with the Crew. I was a bit discouraged at the start of the season, (and I was still celebrating UNC's domination of the NCAA) but the team seems to have turned it around in the early going. Once again, it's all dependent on the pitching they get from Suppan, Parra, and Looper. You know what you're going to get out of Gallardo, and it seems as Dave Bush is turning into a solid start each time out. We'll see if they can keep up this pace and stay in it throughout the summer.
NASCAR, yadda yadda. I don't follow it, but I do pay attention to who wins once and awhile as my Dad is a big fan. All I know is Earnhardt Jr. hasn't won in like 2 years or something. It's the only sport I know where the most popular person in the sport, isn't one of the best 2-3 faces in the sport. That is if you consider it a sport.
Golf, love it. Love to watch Tiger hand out beat downs. It appears he's off to a slow start coming off his knee surgery, but he'll be fine. I think it's funny how he's off to a "slow" start but has finished in the top 10 in the Masters and the recent TPC at Sawgrass. It just goes to show how high he has set the bar. US Open is coming up at Bethpage and then I always love getting up early to watch the British. PGA Championship is at nearby Hazletine, and then next year right here in Wisconsin back at Whistling Straits.
Oh yeah, the NBA is still going. I thought basketball was a winter sport? Well I haven't had much of an interest in the past 10 years, (maybe because the Bucks are terrible?), but it appears to be back on the rise somewhat with big names like LeBron, Kobe, DWade, CP3, and others. Look for the Cavs to beat the Lakers in the NBA Finals, although I'd love to see George Karl and the Nuggets win it all.
So, there you have it. This is what I pay attention to for sports in the summer. What is it that you like best?
PS- I almost forgot, I also love following the World Series of Poker online. It starts in early June and runs for about 40 days. Maybe it's because I love Vegas and go out there each summer. It's great. Everyone should follow this great event!!!

Blogging Time

Well, it's time to get back into this blog again. Throughout the hectic school year, having another child, and basketball season, I got away from doing this blog. I'm going to get back into it hopefully and try to get new things up here on a regular basis. What will help me stay motivated to do it, is having a bunch of you clowns get on here and let me know what your thoughts are! I know I can count on you!!!!
Let's start by hoping the Brewers continue to play well and sweep those lowly losers from the North Side!! Go Crew. Now, if they can continue to hit the ball as they have been of late and get decent pitching, they'll be in it until the end. If the pitching fails them as it did early in the first couple weeks of the season, they will stumble into a 3rd place finish behind the Cards and Cubs unfortunately. If this happens, look for Prince and possibly JJ Hardy to be dealt. I know this will make all the women of Wisconsin upset including my wife, but oh well. I think both of these guys are solid players, but Prince could prove to be unsignable and JJ is replaceable with young phenom Alcides Escobar playing well in Triple AAA. Prince is also replaceable with another hot prospect in Mat Gamel, who's about ready to be brought up. He won't be up until next season most likely, but they are looking at moving him from 1st base to 3rd paving the way for Prince to be dealt. Until any of this happens, let's hope the Crew continues their winning ways under new laid back manager Ken Macha. Talk about the anti-Yost, this guy needs to be checked many times throughout the game for a pulse. I think the guys like this type of laid back style compared to the nail biting Ned.

Selfish Brett

It appears the Brett Favre saga is going to be in full force again this summer. I am so over this and him, I don't even care. I won't give it the time of day. I don't care if it's Minnesota, Seattle, Tampa Bay or the Arena Team near you, this jackass is proving he's the most selfish person in all of sports. It's very sad, the guy whom all Packer fans loved, has turned this into a circus. His legacy will be tarnished forever no matter if he signs with Minnesota or not. Part of me wants his dumb ass to sign and just totally suck and watch his suffer in front of the millions and millions of people he can't live without. Go away Brett. Nobody cares anymore!!!!!!!

Nothing Could Be Finer

Than being in Carolina right now! Congrats to the Heels on their 5th National Title and 2nd in five years. It's become pretty apparent that UNC has been the class of college basketball the last five years along with Florida (2 Titles) and a few others that have been dominant in their leagues and in the tourney.
I will write more when I have time, but it's great to look at all those Dook fans and tell them to kiss our ass.

Burning Questions

Let me hear your input on these. I like this kind of discussion.

Who will play in more Pro Bowls in their career. Aaron Rodgers or Matt Leinart/Jamarcus Russell combined?
Who will play in more MLB All Star Games? Ryan Braun or Prince Fielder?
Who will win more Big Ten Titles in their career? Bo Ryan or Tubby Smith
Who will have more in 2009? Losses by the Lions or wins by the Super Bowl Champ?
What league will fold first in the down economy? The WBNA or MLS?
Who's more selfish? Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson
Who would you rather have next year on your team? Kurt Warner or Brett Favre
Who will last longer in Green Bay? Ted Thompson or Mike McCarthy
Who's hated more? Dook, Yankees, or Cowboys

LAST ONE - What will be the biggest sports story of 2009???? Let me hear ya!!!


More to come later. Enjoy.

College Bowl Season

Bowl games. Some love them, some think there are way too many. 34 bowl games might seem to be too many. However, I love the bowl season. I know some of it has to do with a pool I run, but they are great to watch.
I do wish however that the NCAA would figure it out. There needs to be some sort of playoff system implemented. They can still have the bowls and go to a +1 system where the top four teams are in a mini playoff. Then they go to a true national championship game a week later. Eventually however they need to get to where the four BCS bowls are considered the 1st round of the playoff. Play them all on New Years Day, and then go a week later for the semis and a week later, the BCS National Championship game and rotate that game around the country. It would be great for football, the fans, and the NCAA. You can't tell me that would draw more interest. You can still have your silly BCS Standings, it's just that now the top 8 go to the playoff. If someone feels they got screwed at #9, that's tough beans. At least we don't have teams getting screwed at #3 and having no chance.
This years teams are very good. I have no arguments about Florida and Oklahoma. However, I really believe that Texas and USC should have had something to say about it. Not a fan of USC at all, but nobody in the country would want to play them right now. And what about the fighting Utes of Utah? They finished 12-0 and should have been in there as well!
You can argue any way you want and it's holds no weight with me on why we shouldn't have a playoff. They aren't going to miss any more school than they already do. Hell, most schools are on semester break anyway and classes aren't even in session.

Favre A Pro Bowler?? Are You Kidding?

Well, I have some extra time now with Christmas vacation approaching, so I'll try to post a blog every few days for everyone.
Brett Favre is a Pro Bowler. Unreal. There is no way you can justify this award this year unless you doing it as a Lifetime Achievement Award. He should have been beaten out by Chad Pennington for sure and probably Matt Cassel as well. Of course I'm bitter about the whole thing as Favre screwed the Packers in my opinion. This entire season has been rough, and one of the issues has to be the circus that was Green Bay for about 2 months this past summer. I know Rodgers has made some poor decsions in the 2 minute drill, but I'm really glad he's our guy. The franchise is set up with a really good QB for years to come, and we're not in a funk like the post-era Broncos with Elway or Dolphins with Marino.
I'll debate anyone on this, but letting go of Brett Favre was the right move. They're going to get a high draft pick and hopefully sign some free agents and they'll be BACK next year. Ted Thompson better not sit on the that big ass pool of money he has to sign players. Get out there and get busy. Dream scenario would be Albert Haynseworth and Jason Taylor.

Busy Times at the Bullis House!

With basketball starting once again this year and with the new addition to our family, I haven't had much time to blog unfortunately. Also, there just haven't been that many things that have interested me to blog about. I'll be trying to get on here on a more regular basis soon to get the discussion rolling once again on sports.
A few things of interest are, who's going to win the Heisman? My pick is the favorite, Sam Bradford. Although Tim Tebow has been lights out the last month or so.
College basketball is in full swing and I couldn't be happier! My beloved Tarheels of North Carolina are absolutely LOADED. They've already won the Maui Classic quite easily, and took the Spartans of Michigan State behind the woodshed last night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Not really much of a challenge as the ACC has now won 10 straight! At least, the Badgers held up their end of the bargain in a very entertaining win Monday night over Virginia Tech on the road. Bucky isn't flashy once again, but I'm sure they will make plenty of noise by the time March rolls around. I really like their freshman, and Keaton Nankivial of Madison Memorial is in the starting line up, which is great to see.
The Packers, well, it hasn't been a great season. However, the play of Aaron Rodgers has been promising, and he's going to be good for a long time. I may not agree with Ted Thompson on everything, but he's got himself a stud in Rodgers. I'm just glad we don't have to do what some teams do and shuffle the QB spot for years after a legend to find the successor to the throne. The defense is not great. The whole reason is due to the D-Line and getting absolutely no pressure on the QB. All in all, the NFC North sucks and will be knocked out early in the playoffs. With the sub-par season, I'm already looking forward to the April draft. We make an entire weekend out of the draft in Madison. It's quite a good time.
All in all, I'll make more of an effort to get on here and share my thoughts. Please share yours with me as well. Let me know what's on your mind. But until next time............. Who's Your Matty?

Brewers get Macha and Randolph

I guess Willie Randolph did know something when he turned down the Washington Nationals a few weeks back. Maybe he thought he still had a chance to land the skipper's job in Milwaukee. Well he didn't get that, but the Brewers did hire him to be the bench coach for manager Ken Macha. I think this is a great hire to get them both! However, they are still going to have to make up for the losses of Sabathia and Sheets provided neither re-sign. I don't think the Brewers 5 year $100 million to CC is going to lure him back. They need to be on the aggressive and go out and get some pitching to help Gallardo, Parra, Bush and Suppan. Cappy should be coming back as well, but you never know what you're going to get coming off that surgery.
On a side note, it appears the Cubs are in the running to get Jake Peavy. If that happens, it's lights out for the NL Central as with Zambrano, Harden and Peavy as the top 3, they'd be tough!!!

Macha To Be New Skipper

According to two sources on ESPN.COM, Ken Macha will be named later today as the new Brewers manager. Not my first choice (Brenly), but Macha is a solid guy. He won multiple AL West Division Titles while in Oakland. I'll give the guy a chance. He needs to bring discipline, and new hitting coach! Anything is better than Yost, so this is a plus in my mind. Like Sveum, think he's a good guy, but they couldn't hire him as they needed someone from the outside coming in to rewrite the ship.

1st Rounder to Play?

Former 1st round draft pick Justin Harrell is as healthy as he's been in the past year and is set to be activated from the PUP list sometime soon. It may even be for the upcoming week vs. the Titans.
Some people have already labeled him a bust. I'm not willing to go there yet. I think that before you can be a bust, you have to be healthy and play. He quite frankly hasn't played enough. He did play sparingly last year and recorded 16 tackles. I think if he can stay healthy, and stay in that D-Line rotation, this could be a solid addition for the Packers defense. Obviously stopping the run has been an issue thus far, and getting a 6'4" 310 lb. speciman like Harrell has to help. He's got a huge upside, but has to prove he can stay healthy and give the Packers some solid play.

Brett Gets Booed

The Jets fans seem to be getting restless with the ol' gunslinger. On Sunday, he was booed on numberous occasions after some horrible passes that were picked by the Chiefs. One was returned for a touchdown. The lowly Chiefs D was picking Brett all day! Favre now leads the NFL in interceptions. Wierd!!

Off to the Hospital

I know it's all sports on here, but I thought I'd let you all know, we're heading in to the hospital this morning as Kristine is going to get induced. The whole process begins around 8:00. I'll keep you posted and try to post some pictures later tonight when I come home. So wierd thinking Braeden is going to be a big brother soon. Talk to you soon!

You Make Melvin's Decision

If it is true that it's down to Bob Brenly, Willie Randolph and Ken Macha, who do you want and why? My vote would be 1-Brenly, 2-Randolph and 3-Macha. However, I have a strange feeling the Melvin is in love with Macha as he was offered it the first time around before we got Yost.

Favre Guilty of Calling Lions?

A story broke today by foxsports.com and Jay Glazer stating the Brett called the Lions prior to Week #2 of the NFL season trying to give them any help possible to beat the Packers. You know that if he called Detroit, he certainly tried to help Minnesota as well. If this comes to be true at all, i'm officially done with this guy and hope nobody in Wisconsin ever cheers for this clown again. And that includes when they retire his jersey. You're either with us or against us as I've previously said, this asshole is clearly against the Packers. Good riddance Brett!
Look for more on this story in the coming days.

Sveum Will Not Return

Just in, the Brewers will look elsewhere for managerial job. I feel bad for Sveum as he was devastated I guess, but I think it's a good move. They need someone to come in and give them experience and discipline. Jim Skaalen, the hitting coach is out as well, thank the freaking lord. That guy should have been gone long before Ned!

Sveum or someone else?

Rumor has it GM Doug Melvin is considering a "short list" of candidates for the managerial position in Milwaukee. I like Dale Sveum, but I wasn't that impressed with his moves or lack there of in his 16 games at the helm. I hated Mike Cameron in the leadoff spot, and hated even worse that he wouldn't give anyone a chance in RF over Corey Hart. Now I think Hart is a decent player, but down the stretch you all know what he was like.
Evidently the "short list" includes former Oakland A's manager Ken Macha, who was Melvin's original choice, but he took Oakland and we hired Ned. Also, is former D-back World Series winning manager Bob Brenly (MY CHOICE!) and former Yankee, Ranger and current ESPN analyst Buck Showalter. I also heard former Met manger and now managing in Japan, Bobby Valentine. I say if this is Melvin's list, it's a no brainer. Go with Brenly and get some good experience and try to lead this roster in the right direction.
What do you guys think?

Favre vs. Rodgers

Stats through week #6
Favre 87-124 935 yards 12 TD 4 Int 110.8 rating
Rodgers 103-163 1274 yards 9 TD 4 Int 95.5 rating (3 rushing TD's)

Packers are 3-3 and the Jets are 3-2. Who would you rather have at QB? With the rash of injuries on defense, would the Packers have a better record at this point with Brett?

Bucky is Sucky!

What is going on? These aren't the Badgers we've been used to watching the past 15 years since Barry Alvarez put them on the map! I'm usually the supporter of my teams coaches to a fault, but this is getting ridiculous. What is Bielema doing? Allan Evridge may not be able to start for UWSP. I haven't been to a game this year, but several of my friends have been and they've cited that the crowd is getting restless. Especially last night! Penn State took the Badgers behind the woodshed and beat their ass. I believe they have to make a change at QB. There is no chance to make a bowl game if they keep running Evridge out there. No Bowl Game?!?!? That would be the first time in a long time! And lastly, my friend Rutta has been calling for this from the start, but JOHN CLAY needs more carries. This kid is unreal and wasn't the biggest recruit in Wisconsin for nothing. He was courted by ALL the big schools, and he can't get reps behind PJ Hill? PJ's done very well for UW, but the bottom line is he's just not as talented as Mr. Clay. Every series Clay gets, something good happens. The only two TD drives vs. Ohio State were John Clay drives!
Joe Paterno said it best in the paper. He said, "I think they let Michigan off the hook and I think they did the same last week with Ohio State. We just hope not to get on the hook." Well, Joe I think you're on to something, and you weren't even close to nibbling on the hook last night.