Local Bands

I am going to start putting up some good local bands from chicago that have original music, I really dont know what I want to do in life, but it is fun being a music promoter and putting on shows. Here is a midwest bluegrass band called JEWGRASS

Vick will have Dungy to thank

Arguably the most admired and respected man in sports, former Indianapolis Colts coach, Tony Dungy has stepped into the role as Michael Vick’s mentor heading forward.  What began with Dungy visiting Vick in prison, Michael Vick is now relying on Tony Dungy to help ease the transition back into the NFL.  When Tony Dungy has something to say, people listen, and I would be very surprised if Vick isn’t signed to a team within a week.  If Tony Dungy speaks highly of an individual, there is going to be 100% integrity in that message.  The question remains whether or not Michael Vick has that rare game breaking speed in which he became famous for.  Two years away from the game, and eclipsing the 30 year old mark are two major hurdles going against him.  However, he is going to get a chance somewhere, and that is all that he can ask and hope for at this point.

 

Mikeyrolls

The Boston Sweep Party

All the talk about the Yankees not being able to beat the Red Sox can now be thrown out the window.  The Red Sox came into New York four days ago, down 2 and a half games to the Yanks, and holding an 8-0 record against the Bronx Bombers.  What four days can do to a team’s morale.  The Yankees swept Boston and increased their lead in the AL East to 6 and a half games.  The two teams will meet for two more series this year, but it is obvious that the Red Sox are overmatched.  The Yankees offseason acquisitions of Mark Texiera, CC Sabathia, and AJ Burnett, all portrayed to Red Sox nation why they got paid the big bucks to come to the Big Apple.  The Red Sox couldn’t get a hit for the life of them, and the Yankees looked like a fune tuned machine.  There is a long way to go before playoff time, and I am by no means writing off the Red Sox chances of winning the division.  However, with the way that the Yankees have been pitching the ball, combined with that tenacious lineup, Girardi and Co could be on their way to the Yankees 27th World Series trophy.

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Who wants Vick?

I am starting to wonder whether or not Michael Vick is going to be playing football in the NFL this season.  Is there a team out there that has any interest in him? Vick claims that he is on the verge of signing with a team, but he did not mention if it was an NFL team.  As much as I detest Vick as a quarterback, the guy is still one heck of an athlete.  I can’t tell if its the reputation or being out of the game for two years that is scaring teams away.  The teams that are the best fit for Vick would be the New Orleans Saints or the Jacksonville Jaguars.  If Vick goes to New Orleans he would obviously not be playing quarterback on most downs.  Drew Brees holds that role, and is one of the best in the business at his job.  However, Sean Payton runs a dynamic offense with lots of speed and versatility.  I can see Vick being good in the slot for a few plays a game, possibly running the reverse.  Why not throw him on punt returns?  Jacksonville lacks much luster on offense besides Maurice Jones-Drew, so Vick would add a little life down there.  When Michael Vick was at the peak of his game a few years ago before the dog fighting incident took place, Atlanta revolved their offense around his abilities.  He will not have that luxury anymore, and it will be interesting to see wherever he ends up how he can adapt to a system that is not centered around him.  

 

Mikeyrolls

Eli cashes in

The Super Bowl 42 victory against the then 18-0 Patriots, cashed in a big way on Wednesday as Eli Manning signed a 6 year $97.5 million dollar contract extension with the New York Giants.  His annual salary now exceeds his older brother Peyton’s by nearly $1 million dollars per season.  There are many naysayers who don’t believe that Eli is worth the money of a top 5 quarterback.  We all saw what happened when everybody doubted him a couple years ago.  He has a super bowl ring on his resume, as well as the fact that he has taken the Giants to the playoffs in four straight years.  I truly believe that Eli will have one of his best seasons this year.  I know that there is no Plaxico Burress, but Eli has matured, and this year it will show a great deal.  For some reason I think this can be a special season for the GMEN.

 

Mikeyorlls

Enough with the steroids

Being a New York Yankees fan, I have always detested the Boston Red Sox, and my attitude will never change in regards to the team that resides in Massachusetts.  When I heard David Ortiz was linked to steroids in 2003, I was not surprised.  Ortiz was one of my first suspects for steroids use based on his mediocre to great leap when he left the Twins for Boston.  As much as I salvage at the thought of the Red Sox World Series wins being frauds, this is just another dent in a too beat up MLB.  Ortiz was one of the good guys remaining, and they are beginning to fall like dominos.  I now have more respect than ever for Ken Griffey Jr. who barring injuries could have broken Hank Aaron’s records without steroids.  His injury plagued seasons over the last few years have been unlucky, but not steroid induced.  Griffey has always had the most natural home run swing, and that is not something that an injection can teach.  Derek Jeter is another guy that you have to tip your cap to at the end of the day.  From the get go, Jeter substituted power for average, and that mentality is what will make him a first ballot hall of famer.  As far as we know, Griffey and Jeter are clean, and there are a handle more feel good stories out there.  The biggest wonder is Albert Pujols.  He is in the running for the triple crown this year, and if he stays healthy over the next decade, he will have a great chance at beating Hank Aaron’s record.  Notice how I say Aaron’s record, because Bonds took steroids and I am trying to be fair to all generations here.  Albert Pujols is a beast of a human being, but he has always been this big.  In this country you are innocent until proven guilty, so right now all eyes are on Pujols.  Ryan Howard is another home run hitter who has a big frame.  I would not be surprised if he is clean, because he came into the league in the midst of the steroids scandal.  Hopefully all this media hoopla surrounding the juice will lead to a cleaner game from here on out.  Regardless, I am sick of hearing about more players coming on this list.  Put everything on the table at once and get it over with.

 

Mikeyrolls

The Melk man delivers with a cycle

Melky Cabrera became the first Yankee in fourteen years to hit for the cycle, when he went for 4-5 against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.  His performance helped the Yankees avoid a four game sweep, and stay atop the red sox by 1/2 of a game.  Tony Fernandez was the last Yankee to complete the cycle, and that was against the Oakland Athletics on September 3, 1995.  Melky becomes the 15th Yankee to accomplish this great feat.  

 

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Phelps returns to dominance

Michael Phelps became the first swimmer ever to break 50 seconds in the 100 meter world butterfly competition by taking down arch rival Milorad Cavic in 49.82 seconds. Cavic broke 50 seconds as well, but his 49.95 was not enough.  Last summer in Beijing Phelps beat Cavic by nine hundredths of a second in a classic finish.  Heading into Rome, Cavic was claiming that he had won that race at Beijing, but photographic evidence clearly proves that Phelps touched the wall first.  Michael Phelps did his talking in the pool today, and Cavic’s best shot wasn’t enough.  Wearing his regular speedo bathing suit, Phelps showed yet again why he is the best in the world.  He shows up for all the big ones, he is the Michael Jordan of swimming, or the Tiger Woods, whatever you want to call him.  Or maybe, he is just Michael Phelps, a guy that I am still convinced is half dolphin.  Phelps is at the top of his game in his respective sport. 

           We are in a great era for sports at this moment.  The steroids in baseball overshadows Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, and Michael Phelps.  How often do you see the best player of all time playing right in front of your eyes?  Who knows if there will ever be players this dominant again?  Over time I am sure there will be some “one of a kind” athletes, but for our generation this is something to cherish.  Michael Phelps joined the elite group after he won 8 olympic gold medals at last summer’s olympics in Beijing, breaking Mark Spitz record of 7 at the 1972 olympic games at Munich.  When there is so much negative publicity on athletes these days, at least we see some decency in another American champ staying at the top of the mountain.

 

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JK Wedding Entrance Dance

PArt 2 of not just another saturday night

again sorry for the low quality

but this is my new band Soeul Rebel

Beggin you cover