Really, Jack Z? Seriously, Erik Bedard? Haven’t we suffered enough? Yeah, I know it’s an incentive-laden deal. But for a season-ticket holder like me, this feels like staying pals with an ex-girlfriend. Just cut ties and move on.
Wow! Jack Z! How the hell did you manage to convince the Rockies to give us a former first-round pick for Jose Lopez? Love the trade, just wish you would’ve thrown in Bedard.
Someone Give Nate Robinson Tim Ruskell’s Number: Robinson, featured as a former two-sport star in the latest edition of Sporting News, says he’s considering a career change: “If there’s a lockout,” Nate said, “I would like to give football a try.” A 5-9″ (listed, but no way) cornerback? Sounds like a Ruskell fantasy.
Tough Love From My Dad Here’s my dad’s review of my first column: “I never heard of Lafa Tatupu. I don’t know who he is, or which team he plays for, or why, as an interested sports fan, I should care.”
Apple Cup…
As I told Gasman on KJR yesterday afternoon, I think the Cougars are going to beat the Huskies handily Saturday. I don’t want the Cougs to win, but I think they will, and here’s why.
1) This supposed “resurgence of the Husky defense” is a mirage. The Dawgs’ weakness is pass defense, and they haven’t faced a team with a decent quarterback since Stanford–who beat them 41-0, and could’ve won by 60 if they’d tried.
2) For some reason people think the cold weather will lead to a low-scoring ground game. But in the “Snow Bowl”, played in freezing weather with 18 mph winds, Wazzu scored 43 points. The passing game has the advantage on frozen turf, not the run game. When you run, you need traction and push. Not gonna happen on ice. When you pass, the defense needs push for pass rushing. The team with the better passing attack will win, just like in ’92, and that’s Wazzu.
3) The Huskies under Jake Locker have folded under the weight of expectations. Starting 2-0 in ’07 and suffering 6 straight losses. The 0-12 ’08. Following that USC win in ’09 with a blowout loss to Stanford. And this year’s inexplicable opening game loss to a putrid BYU team. I hope they prove me wrong, but I expect them to fold again with a bowl bid on the line.
What they’re saying…
“If Erik becomes the Erik he’s been in the past, it would be a nice little piece for all of us.” — Jack Zduriencik
“Lopez showed zero progress as a Mariner. Zero, in seven years.” — Jeff Sullivan, Lookout Landing
“Me: ‘Honey, we’re going to the Seattle Seahawks game on Sunday between church services.’ Wife: ‘What sport is that? It’s not outside, is it?'” @scottharrison
In other news…
Here are details about the Dave Niehaus memorial a week from Sunday at Safeco.
Arizona lost to Arizona State in the Territorial Cup last night–it’s the fourth straight loss for Arizona, making it possible that the Alamo Bowl will take the Huskies if they win the Apple Cup.
So Qatar, a mostly dry country, gets the 2022 World Cup. I asked my friend @jrpelkola, a non-drinker who attended the 2010 World Cup, for advice on what non-alcoholic beverages to drink before a soccer game: “I’d pick Mountain Dew because it’s delicious. But a ginger ale would probably do me just right as well”
The UW volleyballers swept Michigan in their NCAA first-round game last night. They face one-loss Hawaii in round two tonight.
Still unclear whether UW left tackle Senio Kelemete will be available for the Apple Cup. He has a sprained ankle.
The Mariners non-tendered Ryan Rowland-Smith, who becomes a free agent. Here’s the full list of non-tendered MLB players. The M’s also signed Josh Wilson to a major league deal, and tendered offers of arbitration to David Aardsma, Brandon League, and Jason Vargas.
Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande has Andrew Luck #1 overall in his 2011 mock draft–and doesn’t list Locker among his projected first-rounders.
I hadn’t realized this, but Rainier Beach alum and 2009 11th overall pick Terrence Williams is down in the D-League!
There are 4 Seattle-area kids in the Rivals 150 high school boys hoops player rankings: Garfield’s Tony Wroten (UW commit) is #30, Kentridge’s Gary Bell (Gonzaga) is #64, Rainier Beach’s Hikeem Stewart (UW) is #111, and Jackson’s Brett Kingma (Oregon) is #125.
Tweet talk…
“You make the money DON’T let the money make YOU!!!!” — Isaiah Thomas, @Isaiah_Thomas2
“I hate the short days of sunlight this time of year!” — Dave Sims, @DSpxp
“Just saw #cougar students with lots of #busch beer, gotta love college life” — @ChrisEgan5
Today in SPNW…
Art Thiel talks to Harborview and NFL concussion doc Richard Ellenbogen.
Stanley Holmes rages against FIFA’s pick of Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
Today’s action…
3A State Football Championship: Bellevue vs. Kamiakin, 4 p.m., Tacoma Dome (FSN, 850-AM)
NCAA Volleyball Tourney: Hawaii @ Washington, 7:30 p.m., BOA Arena
College Hoops: Kansas State @ Wazzu, 8 p.m. (FSN)