The 2009 NFL Draft: Who will be this year's Akili Smith?

Some musings as I sit here watching the draft . . .

I love the gamesmanship that goes on prior to the NFL Draft. I swear that several teams baited the Bengals by saying they were in love with Akili Smith that year. And the Bengals being the Bengals, wait . . . holy shit! Did you see that bracelet on Eugene Monroe? Good God. Oh, sorry. Back to the Bengals. What I was saying was that, the Bengals being the Bengals, they fell for it hook, line and stinker.

Would it kill these guys to get off their damn cell phones? I mean, they're name is called and they're talking on their freakin' cells as they are being congratulated by everybody. I call bullshit.

I'm thinking Matt Stafford may be a bad pick by Detroit. You know why I think that? 'Cause he said he'd love to play in Detroit. That's a sign of dementia right there. You know another reason I don't like the pick? Because Detroit likes the pick.

Marty, Tell Us What You REALLY Think...

So my beloved Cincinnati Reds are 5-5, trailing the Chicago Cubs in the N.L. Central by a respectable 1.5 games (4th in division). Tuesday, the Reds embark on the first pilgramage to the "Friendly Confines" that is Wrigley Field, and I can't help but harken back to a year ago when Reds Hall-Of Fame radio announcer Marty Brennaman absolutely LIT UP Cubs Fan during a Reds/Cubs tilt. I'm not talking "Cubs Fan" like as in an individual like say...Steve Bartman, I mean "Cubs Fan" in a collective sense as (& I'm so ashamed of this) Jim Rome would call out the Cubs Nation (but I hate that term too, i.e. Insert Team Name Here Nation).

Now I've been listening to Marty Brennaman since I was but a wee lad, & I 've noticed a change in his sometimes (OK regular) surly demeanor. I could notice him becoming somewhat more dickish as the late, great Joe Nuxhall's health increasing deteriorated. However, after Joe's passing and the full-time insertion of Marty's son Thom, along with former Red Jeff "The Cow-Boyyy" Brantley into the booth, you get the feeling Marty is hiking his leg all over every part of that broadcast booth. I love it that Marty is not afraid to share his opinions with us; hell I agree with him 99% of the time. He has made Cincinnati the baseball town it is, where Reds fans can spot a slacker on the field over the radio airwaves with intuitive ease, and equally gushes over the overachieving, gritty utility infielder just up from AAA. Sometimes he's a little too much to stomach, but at least he is always (brutally) honest...and NOTHING goes unscrutinized in that booth.

Anyhow...love him or hate him, Marty Brennaman (who has the best hair in radio) will always be our guy. While "Cubs Fan" waxes nostalgic over the likes of Hhhaaary Caray & his sideshow, us REAL baseball fans laugh at you. Take a listen to this, Fuzzy Cubbies, and tell me Mr. Hall Of Fame wasn't right...on...the...money. You'll never win!! Watch this & tell Marty & I we're not right. Losers!!

The Neverending NBA Playoffs have begun! Some random blatherings . . .

Some thoughts as I watch the NBA playoffs on this beautiful Saturday afternoon in southern Ohio . . .

Joakim Noah is a loon. His foul on Paul Pierce with 2.6 seconds left in regulation was pure stupidity.

Derrick Rose is good. Really good.

If I see another shot of Vinny Del Negro’s dad on the end of the bench I’m going to vomit. OK, so he moved down to the bench because he’s nervous. We get it. Let it go.

Boston has to have the most obnoxious fans on the planet. Plus, those accents grate on you like sandpaper rubbing on an open wound.

In basketball, at what point did tall become long?

Stephon Marbury couldn’t guard me, and he’s trying to guard Derrick Rose. Rose is at 35 points and counting as I write this.

I hate to say it, but LeBron & Company’s shtick is getting old. Enough already with the preening, dancing, and posing. You haven’t won anything yet fellas.

At what point did a fast break become a run-out?