USA Soccer fail

by Steve

USA Soccer just let down 300,000,000+ people. The defense was horrendous their best player Tim Howard played like shit and USA went down in defeat 2-1 to Ghana. Brutal.

The game went to extra time after Landon Donovan scored on a penalty kick in the 63rd minute. USA had all the momentum and then poof Ghana made a play and America is now tuning out of the World Cup.

What was with USA allowing an early goal in every game and then they did it again twice today, in the 5th minute and then in the first few minutes of extra time. Their inability to take charge early was a killer.

And what is with the stoppage time? How is it calculated ? What the hell was with that dude laying on the pavement for like 5 minutes in the extra time getting carted off then standing on the sidelines five minutes later? Classic soccer, that's why America won't care again until 2014.

Marshawn Lynch still a moron

by Steve

If this was his first time I would be blasting him but at this point it is just kinda funny. Marshawn spouted off some ridiculousness to Tim Graham of ESPN God damn he is a moron and he obviously has a boner over the Jets:

Lynch has been captivated by all the offseason moves the Jets have made. When the "Madden 11" video game comes out in August, the Jets will be Lynch's team.

"I'm probably not supposed to say that, but I'm excited to see what the Jets are going to do," Lynch told me after Thursday's minicamp practices. "I'm real excited.

"Now that's a team that I'm going to pick and play with on Madden. That's real talk."

I asked Lynch what Jets acquisition has impressed him most.

He nodded emphatically as I went down the line: Antonio Cromartie? Santonio Holmes? Jason Taylor? LaDainian Tomlinson?

"Ooooo, see? They made so many moves it's hard to just pinpoint one," Lynch said. "I am a running back, and LT ... Man, one of the best that ever did it. I'm going to be excited to see him twice a year. Santonio and [Darrelle] Revis and Cromartie over there, that's going to be interesting."

Lazar Hayward 30th pick Washington

Lazar Hayward 6'6 226

Buffalo native and Traditional High School grad, was drafted by the Washington Wizards 30th overall in the first round of the NBA Draft. He played four years at Marquette and averaged 18 points 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists as a senior.

Tyler Myers wins Calder trophy

HALLAA

Myers was one of four rookies to play all 82 games. He led the Sabres and all rookies by logging nearly 24 minutes of ice time per game. He was also first among rookies with 137 blocked shots and third with 48 points.

USA wins advances in World Cup

by Steve

Wild game, 0-0 after regulation. USA had a goal disallowed in the first half and dominated the second half. Then finally in extra time the only player most Americans ever heard of, Landon Donovan, scores off a rebound in the box.

We deserved to win this one seemingly from the beginning. Break after break went the Algerian's way the final 45 minutes or so. Then finally a goal after 92+ minutes of play.

A tie in this one would have meant we go home. Instead, we win our group and advance. What a goal, what a game.

2010 NBA Draft mock

by Andy Schrum

I don’t know why I am doing this NBA Mock Draft, since every year I do one, all you readers do is complain and poke fun of the NBA, but at the requestof Steve here it is:

1. Washington Wizards: John Wall, PG, Kentucky

This is the obvious pick. The Wizards have a new owner and this will be the easiest thing he ever has to do. Hand over the card that say John Wall and let the Sixers pick. Wall is compared to Derrick Rose, who has turned into a year in and year out All Star. Move Agent 0 over to the 2, his natural position and move on.

2. Philadelphia 76er’s: Evan Turner, SG, THE Ohio State

I was leaning more toward Favors here because of the recent Sam Dalembert trade, but with new coach Doug Collins coming in, he is going to want a player he can trust to control the game. True Turner isn’t a PG, but he has a very high basketball IQ and a great understanding and feel for the game. AI will have to move to the 3, but that won’t affect his game too much.

3. N-E-W Jerz Nets: Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech

New owner and Russian billionaire/Mark Cuban hybrid would have loved to land the #1 spot, but so would have every other team. Favors is a large and highly talented player that will compliment nicely off of Lopez in the front court.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves: Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse

Johnson exploded onto the scene/Big East after transferring to ‘Cuse last fall. Former ‘Cuse PG Johnny Flynn would love to play with this guy and who wouldn’t? He does all the little things and also can score and defend. Not only that but NBA GM’s are very impressed by his maturity and leadership skills.

5. Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky

What a gift this would be for the Kings. They just brought in Dalembert from Philly, but Cousins is a way bigger force in the middle. Everyone says he is young, immature, not driven, but he is only 19 and is a monster on the boards. He shot a blistering 79% from the floor last year and is as strong as an ox. He will fit in perfectly in a big man conference known as the West.

6. Golden State Warriors: Greg Monroe, C, Georgetown

The Warriors need help in the middle and with Favors and Cousins off the board, Monroe is the next most viable option. He, like Turner, has a very high IQ and feel for the game. Teaming him with a guy like Curry sure will make them a tough team to defend inside-outside.

7. Detroit Pistons: Ed Davis, PF, UNC

GM Dumars wants more grit and chippy play from his team. He also needs a bigger front court. Ed Davis fills both of those rolls. Davis has the size, athleticism and shot blocking ability the Pistons need in the middle. Jason Maxiell isn’t the answer, so Davis will have to be.

8. LA Clippers: Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest

Some think Aminu is long and strong enough to play the 4 in the NBA, but the Clippers would most likely keep him at his natural position, the 3. With Blake Griffin hopefully returning 100% healthy, the Clippers will be able to get there big men out and running, which is great for Aminu because he runs the floor like a deer.

9. UUUUUTAH Jazz: Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler

The Jazz have been high on Monroe and Luke Babbitt, but if Hayward slips, he has to be there guy. Jerry Sloan loves smooth shooting wing men, and even though Hayward didn’t shoot the ball that well this year, he can get hot and is more versatile than Babbitt.

10. Indiana Pacers: Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky

Larry Bird is looking to do a lot of roster reconstruction this offseason using trades and sign and trades to strengthen up the roster so an instant impact/best talent available is the most obvious pick for the Pacers. Patterson was moved from C to PF last year at Kentucky and even developed a pretty decent shot from the outside. If Davis slips to #10 it would be a gift, but I don’t think he will.

11. N.O. Hornets: Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas

They are stock piled in the back court so addressing the front court is the main concern. They could gamble of Whiteside, Udoh or George but I think they are most comfortable with Aldrich. He brings an uncanny knack for shot blocking and rebounding, something they’ll need to get the ball into CP3’s hands and run.

12. Memphis Grizzlies: Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada

This guy can straight up stoke it from downtown. The Grizzlies are a team in shambles, but surrounding Gay and Mayo with a smooth shooting forward would make them a more rounded out team.

13. Toronto Raptors: Solomon Alabi, C, FSU

Chris Bosh is pretty much out the door and with that being the case, the Raptors will need to take a center in the draft. Although Alabi may be a reach, his stock is rising as we gear towards the draft. Whiteside and Orton are others to consider, but Alabi is the safer choice.

14. Houston Rockets: Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor

He would complement Yao very nicely and has some upside to his game. He is a very good shot blocker and is committed to getting better.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Paul George, SF, Fresno State
16. Minnesota Timberwolves: Hassan Whiteside, C, Marshall
17. Chicago Bulls: Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas
18. Miami Heat: Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky
19. Boston Celtics: Craig Brackins, PF, Iowa State
20. S.A. Spurs: Daniel Orton, C, Kentucky
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Damion James, SF, Texas
22. Portland Trailblazers: James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State
23. Minnesota Timberwolves: Devin Ebanks, F, WVU
24. Atlanta Hawks: Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Doninique Jones, SG, South Florida
26. Oklahoma City Thunder: Stanley Robinson, F, UCONN
27. New Jersey Nets: Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincy
28. Memphis Grizzlies: Larry Sanders, PF, Va. Commonwealth
29. Orlando Magic: Willie Warren, PG, Oklahoma
30. Washington Wizards: Trevor Booker, PF, Clemson

Derek Roy

by Steve
I don't have anything personally against Derek Roy. Generally he is cordial and isn't a complete $9 million d'bag but he is a $9 million d'bag. The worst part is he is completely expendable and not effective in the playoffs.

He seems to not care about hockey even though he is immensely talent (by normal person standards) and had a big time contract. That's why it was fantastic when I saw him at Encore in downtown Buffalo Thursday night. He was buying shots having
wing men askin hoes if they wanna party with D Roy. You know, normal stuff. Then I go up to him and ask if he thinks we can trade him for Tomas Kaberle.

He didn't even hesitate or blink. He just straight up ignored me and kept walking. I made sure it wasn't a loud song and 99% chance he would hear me. He didn't get hooked by some d'bag blogger loser, he kept walkin' and kept his cool.

Either way, I'd love to trade his undersized ass for a big time defenseman or a real center. Classic D Roy night. Plus he did have zero goals in 6 playoff games and only 2 points. Great for out top line center. Ugh

USA vs. Slovenia

-Coast

The biggest American sporting event of the past 8 years will kick off Friday morning at 10:00. The Americans vs. Slovenia in a huge Group C matchup with the winning side gaining a major edge in surviving the group.

The Americans are in great position after salvaging a draw when Clint Dempsey's blistering attempt from 28 meters handcuffed Robert Green, the England keeper. Slovenia defeated Algeria 1-0 with a similar stroke of luck. Algeria's keeper misplayed a mediocre effort by Robert Koren in the 78th minute costing his team any realistic chance at advancing out of group play.

Slovenia leads the group right now with 3 points. The US and England each have 1 point and Algeria has 0 points. The bottom line for team USA is that they cannot lose. If they lose, they will need nothing short of a miracle to advance...something similar to last year's Confederation's Cup. For those of you who don't remember (or don't know what the Confederations Cup even is), the USA needed to beat Egypt by at least 3 goals, need Italy to lose by at least 3 goals (the Italians are the defending World Cup Champions) and needed to score more goals than Italy. A 3-0 win over Egypt and a 3-0 loss by Italy to Brazil allowed team USA to advance. The point is, this will never happen again and if the US loses to Slovenia, it's all over.

Slovenia provided the Americans with bulletin board material this week and trust me, providing extra motivation for your opponent on the pitch is a collasal mistake. Slovenia midfielder Andrej Komac guaranteed victory over the US. "We are going to win this match," Komac said. This dude doesn't even start. He will be backing up his bold statement while sitting on the bench hoping to earn a late sub in Friday's match. For those of you who don't know much about Slovenia (I never heard of Slovenia before this world cup), they have a population of about 2 million. The US has 4 cities with larger populations than Slovenia.

The other Group C match tomorrow is England vs. Algeria and there is no doubt England is looking to take out some serious frustration on someone after what happened Saturday afteroon. England will win this match. They will have 4 points, Algeria will have 0 points and will be essentially out of things. If the US and Slovenia tie, the US will have 2 points, Slovenia 4 and England 4. This will put the US in a must win situation vs. Algeria and would advance with a win vs. Algeria coupled with a win by either side in the Slovenia England match. If England and Slovenia draw, the US, England and Slovenia will all have 5 points and it will come down to tie breakers. The first of which is goal differential and the second of which is goals scored. If the US wins against Slovenia, than a draw vs. Algeria and will most likely land them in the elimination round.

Since I am dead last (by a incredible large margin) in my World Cup pool, my prediction means absolutely nothing...but I will take the Americans 3-1 tomorrow with Clint Dempsey netting another two on his way to the Golden Boot.

England 1 United States 1 F

by Steve

Classic soccer errr futball match. Two goals, pretty boring, no winner. The USA got the luckiest goal in the history of the World Cup and will take a draw. They were +435 or so.

England scored in the first four minutes and everyone thought it was over. England then seemed to sit back and relax. Then disaster struck when the luckiest goal in the world bounced off England's goalie's hands and a routine save turned into that dudes nightmare. Robert Green's family better be in hiding in an attic some where. He might not make it back to his hotel alive.

The goal seemed to stun England and the rest of the game was pretty much even. Nothing happened in the last 15 minutes or so. USA plays again the 18th at 10 am v Slovenia and the 23rd at 10am against Algeria.

Jim Negrych called up to AAA

After toiling in AA Altoona Curve as mostly a DH has been called up to AAA and will be playing in Buffalo next weekend.

TBN:

Jim Negrych, an Orchard Park native who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006, has been promoted from the Double-A Altoona (Pa.) Curve to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, who happen to visit Coca-Cola Field next weekend (June 17-20).

Negrych is a 2003 St. Francis graduate who starred at the University of Pittsburgh before being drafted. He hit .267 in 49 games with Altoona.

We got an email from St. Francis baseball coach Paul Bartell about the call-up and Negrych is on the Indianapolis roster.

Patrick Kane scores Stanley Cup winner

by Steve

The darling of South Buffalo, mullet and all, scored the clinching goal in overtime of game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals!!! No beating up cabbies for this dude, he is now a national treasure and a god in Chicago!

Gotta love it, I can't wait for him to bring the Cup down Seneca St in SOBU babaayyyy

PAT KANE, PAT KANE, PAT KANE!!

Chicago 4 Philadelphia 3 F OT

Where is Aaron Schobel?

by Steve

Where the hell is Aaron Schobel? All the dude has to do is show up, take a physical and he gets $2,000,000 wired into his bank account. What world is this guy living in? True at age 33 he'll have to learn a new position, new defense, new coaching staff, more losing. But is it really that bad?

I guess we're counting the Atlanta game last year so Schobel is coming off a season in which he recorded 10 sacks (his most since '06). I would have said a month ago that Schobel was definitely coming back for the 2010 season. Now, after missing every Optional Team Activity to date and not speaking with the Bills or anyone for that matter, I'm more like 30/70 he'll come back.

Who knows, maybe Chan Gailey is acting coy and he has been assured by Schobel that he'll be ready for mandatory mini camp. Circle June 23rd on your calendar perhaps then we'll have some closure to this charade. Are we really to believe no one has spoken with the dude? Just like Gailey allegedly NEVER EVEN SPOKE with Lynch while he was at the Bills facility for two whole days? Bullshit bullshit.

In reality it probably doesn't even matter much whether Schobel comes back or not. Is he really the missing piece to a division run? His only worth right now is in the form of a trade. What could even be gotten for a guy on the downside of his career making big money (7 years $50.5 mil) and being forced to play a position he has never played. Seriously though, are we to believe that it isn't a big deal for these old 4-3 DE's to just pick up and master playing a 3-4 OLB in one offseason?

Kelsay and Schobel are expendable at this point. Get rid of both of them. No one would trade for the former but the latter still may have some value. #94 not even showing up however kills any potential deal before a number is even dialed.

HEY AARON PICK UP THE GOD DAMN PHONE.

BIGGEST BLOWN CALL IN MLB HISTORY

by Steve

Armando Galarrago had 26 outs in a row. One out away from a perfect game. A routine dribbler to the first baseman, Cabrera, he fields it and throws to the pitcher covering first. He was clearly on the base, had the ball, out, ball game, perfect game. But no the umpire blows the call no hitter gone, perfect gone. Jim Joyce is a piece of shit. HOLY FKKKK!

This is the biggest blown call of the century, perhaps in the history of baseball. UNBELIEVABLE.

Stephen Strasburg descends on Buffalo

by Steve

Buffalo will be the center of the baseball world tomorrow and if you're within 120 miles you better be there. 21 year old phenom Stephen Strasburg will be making his final minor league start at Coca Cola Field at 1pm Thursday. This game will be the third most exciting event in Buffalo sports this year. (1 is the Bills home opener and 2 was the Sabres first home playoff game in three years back in April)

This dude is a straight up stud. The 6'4 right hander is already worth $15 mil and hasn't seen an MLB mound yet. He throws 100 mph and has an ERA of 1.27 in five AAA starts. When else will you be able to pay $7 to see such a stud pitch? And when else would I write about anything regarding the Bisons?

Expect huge lines at the will call window so print the tickets from the Bisons' website. According to the Buffalo news 10,000+ tickets have already been sold. Who knows maybe they'll actually sell out a game purely for the baseball and not a mascot for the first time seemingly in years.