Excessive Celebration of the Day

This video may not look like much at first but watch the background closely and you'll find a rather unusual way to celebrate a victory.

Eagles Release Brian Westbrook

The Philadelphia Eagles became the second team in as many days to release their former All Pro running back after the Chargers parted ways with LaDainian Tomlinson the day before. Westbrook was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2002 draft and became the team's offensive spark plug in 2003 after saving the season with an 84 yard punt return for a TD in the final minute of a week 7 matchup against the rival New York Giants. Westbrook is the franchise's all-time leader in yards from scrimmage highlighted by back-to-back seasons in '06 and '07 where he lead the league in that category. Westbrook was entering the final year of his contract and was owed $7.5 Million over that period.

Westbrook is in the twilight of his career and an injury-plagued 2009 campaign made the decision to let him go easier for the Eagles' management. Westbrook has been the most electrifying player in the team's history and from 2005-2007 could have made a case for being the best RB in the NFL (or at least the NFC). Injuries have always been a problem for the veteran who has never been able to play in all 16 games in any season. Westbrook's production in 2008 was limited by ankle and knee injuries and he really hasn't played at 100% in a few years. He began this most recent season coming off of ankle surgery and suffered a pair of concussions midway through the year relegating him to a non-factor. The emergence of rookie RB LeSean McCoy also made Westbrook's release more palpable after he piled up 637 yards and 4 TDs in Westbrook's absence. I think the Eagles' coaching staff is happy with their rushing attack of McCoy and All Pro FB Leonard Weaver and they cut ties with the over-30 tailback at the right time. I don't expect Westbrook to play in the NFL for more than a year or so after this with all of his injuries issues.

LaDainian Tomlinson Released By Chargers

In a move that may have surprised some the San Diego Chargers released former NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson this afternoon. Tomlinson was the 5th overall pick in the 2001 draft (acquired in a trade for the #1 pick which would become Michael Vick) and rushed for 12,490 yards, grabbed 530 catches and scored 153 TDs good enough for 3rd in NFL History. I'd you've read my earlier post on the subject this news isn't surprising as Tomlinson is coming off his least productive season as a pro, is over 30 and has been critical of team management. It will be interesting to see what teams now think Tomlinson has any more gas left in the tank during Free Agency

Congratz To Trinity College Squash, Another Year Another National Championship

The Trinity College Bantams finished up their 12th consecutive undefeated National Championship season with a win over Yale this weekend. At this point I don't even see why other schools even play us at all, it would be easier just to forfeit. What I liked best about this year's win was the style and swagger (or arrogance...) with which our Bantams pulled it off. Even ESPN Football analyst Merrill Hoge loved it.

How's It Taste Canada? USA Men's Hockey Wins 5-3

The US Men's hockey team pulled off the biggest upset since their Miracle victory of the Soviet Union in 1980. The US hadn't beaten Canada since 1960 including a loss in the gold-medal game during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Canada came into this year's tournament as the heavy favorite to win boasting a roster filled with NHL team captains. The US went with a young, tough athletic roster whose average age is five years younger than the US team that failed to medal in 2006 in Turin. The US played their hearts out all game last night and never trailed the favored Canadians. This game didn't have the impact the win in 1980 did but it made me proud to be an American nonetheless.

NBA Offseason Begins To Take Shape After Trading Deadline Passes

(Future teammates LeBron James and Chris Bosh?)

The NBA trading deadline came and went this week and several major moves were made which gave us a better idea of how this year's upcoming offseason will unfold. Everyone will have their eyes on LeBron James and I have already talked about how his fate may hinge on the Cleveland Cavaliers ability to win an NBA title this june. The Cavs made perhaps the biggest deadline deal by acquiring talented forward Antawn Jamison from the Wizards along with G Sebastian Telfair in a 3-team deal. Cleveland's front office needed to make a move to show LeBron that they are committed to winning and want him to stay there. The addition of Jamison along with the coming return of G Mo Williams will likely solidify the Cavaliers' place atop the Eastern Conference but they will still have to conquer however comes out of the tough Western Conference. 

There were two other moves that were made to position for the offseason signing period. The New York Knicks made a move to acquire Tracy McGrady (and his monster expiring contract) from the Rockets while at the same time dumping the large contracts of ineffective players Larry Hughes and Jared Jeffries. Over the past two season the Knicks have worked hard to clear enough cap space to allow them to sign both LeBron and another big name player this offseason and are the front runners for King James in my mind (can LeBron really resist the bright lights of New York City?) Another intriguing story was the Miami Heat's failed attempt to trade for Suns F Amar'e Stoudemire. The heat were hoping to land the All Star in attempt to convince G Dwayne Wade to stay when he becomes a free agent. I think the Heat will finish with a mediocre record and Wade will be actively seeking a new team this summer. LeBron's future is still up in the air depending on how his team finishes in the Playoffs so I think Wade will set the Free Agent period in motion. I think both Wade and LeBron will be in new uniforms next year although don't be surprised to see James sign a short 2- or 3-year deal to stay in Cleveland long enough to continue building around him.

P.S. In case you missed it LeBron James dropped 43 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds last night becoming the first player since Pete Maravich in 1974 to score 40+ points with 15+ assists and 10+ boards. He's pretty good...

Tiger Woods Speaks

Much maligned superstar golfer Tiger Woods finally addressed the public after months of silence this morning in a very scripted and formal press conference. Woods spoke for about 10 minutes apologizing for his behavior and discussed the harm this scandal has done to his family. Woods refused to take questions and left many things unanswered. Woods mostly talked about his family and stated that he did not know when he would make a return to golf. I'm glad Tiger has taken the first step in rebuilding his reputation after coming out of self-imposed exile but he has a lot work left ahead of him. I believe he will have to make a talk show circuit and begin giving the media the answers they have been searching for since November.

On a side note Tiger drew some heat for his press conference this week as he was criticized for holding a press conference during the Accenture (a company that ended its sponsorship of Woods in December) Matchplay Championship. Fellow golfer Ernie Els was the loudest of Tiger's critics saying he should have waited until monday to go public. However I think Tiger statement has re-energized the interesting of golf fans whose support has dropped off in Tiger's absence. I personally had no idea the Matchplay Championship was even happening this week which only goes to further my belief that the PGA Tour is nothing without Tiger Woods.