In light of Michael Vick apologizing to everyone yesterday, I too, want to take this time out for my own, unwritten, off the top of my head apology:
I am, you know, sorry, you know, for not being able to..for being able to.. for not being able to, you know, have any posts the past few days. I’ve been, you know, really busy with work and … I didn’t have a lot of downtime. I, you know, will make sure I post more frequently from now on. (5 second pause) I have to. Thank you.
(Jokes aside, Vick’s apology was a good one and you should read it or watch it if you haven’t already.)
*Vick apologized to all and everyone yesterday after he formally pleaded guilty to dogfighting conspiracy charges. The apology was not prepared beforehand as it was clear that Vick had no notes present and was speaking on the whim. I personally didn’t see the apology until after work yesterday, but saw the entire clip (4 and a half minutes or so) and believed that Vick could not have been more sincere in asking for forgiveness. Of course, he probably wouldn’t be apologizing had he not been cornered into a place of guilt, but that’s neither here nor there. Vick’s apology is going to go a long way, in my estimation, for him restoring his public image to a certain degree. This is the second time in one summer that we have seen an athlete deliver a sincere and genuine speech, or in this case apology, without any prewritten notes. The first was when Michael Irvin delivered one of the most memorable Hall of Fame Induction speeches that I can remember. Vick appeared to be saddened, lost, and grounded after what has been a grueling four months. After scanning the sports waves this morning on my way to work, I found that I was not alone in feeling that Vick’s apology was genuine. Though this is only one step for what will need to be many, at least Vick took one in the right direction.
*Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs crashed his $350,000 Lamborghini in Lake Forest, Illinois yesterday. Then he fled. Yes, you read correctly. He left his Lambo just like that. The reason for him fleeing the scene is not yet known, but one can only imagine. He later claimed that the car was his after reports surfaced that he had told police the car was stolen, initially. However, after speaking with police yesterday, he did confirm that he was the driver of the vehicle when it crashed. Briggs was charged with a misdemeanor for failure to properly notify of an accident. I’m not going to speculate on exactly what the reason was for Briggs fleeing the scene but it’s really saying something if a guy would rather leave a $350,000 car on the side of the road than deal with a potential (emphasis on “potential”) bigger problem with not the law, but Commissioner Roger Goodell. “$350,000 car or possible suspension? $350,000 car or possible suspension? Screw the car.”
*The Yankees got rocked by the Tigers yesterday, 16-0. I don’t really want to talk about it. I mean, it’s not like the Mariners have lost three straight and this would be the perfect opportunity to not only put the Tigers away, but also move into possession of the wild card. Yeah, not like anything was at stake Mike Mussina. Jerk.
*The Yankees-Red Sox series starts tonight in New York. It will showcase a matchup between Dice-K and Pettitte. I highly suggest for you, even if you’re not a baseball fan, to watch this series. It is one of the greatest rivalries in sports and always brings some form of excitement. Plus the Yankees are now reaching the point of desperation and the Sox would love nothing more than to put their most hated rival away for good. Tune in.
*Both Williams sisters advanced easily in the first round of the U.S. Open early this morning around 2:00 AM EST, when you were asleep, unless your name is Pacman Jones and you’re at a strip club “for the food”. Crazy Factoid: Serena Williams had a serve clocked at 126 mph. Think about how fast that is for a second. Unreal.
*The Cleveland Browns. Notice how I put this story last. Anyway, Brady Quinn will not be starting week 1. The starter will be either Charlie Frye or the other guy, Derrick Anderson or something. Quinn had the highest rating of the three and threw for three touchdowns, no interceptions in his two preseason games. Yes I know it was against second teams and third teams but the guy showed he understands what he’s doing. I don’t understand what exactly the Browns and Coach Romeo Crennell are gaining by sitting Quinn. Is it because he held out? Because that’s a dumb reason. Also, I don’t see a solid veteran starter ahead of Quinn that he could be learning from. Quinn was drafted to be the starter of that team and you’re kidding yourself if you think he won’t be starting by week five. So what are you really gaining by holding him out week one? Give yourself the best chance to win, and to do that, it’s getting Quinn the most experience he can get as quickly as possible. I don’t know why I’m trying to understand what the Browns are doing though; it is the Browns. That should be a cue for me to just stop trying right there. Oh, while I’m on the topic of franchises that don’t have a clue, The Raiders have still not signed JaMarcus Russell (the first overall pick taken in the draft if you’ve forgotten). The Raiders hope to have Russsell signed by December 2008 and in training camp before Vick is eligible to play again. Draft Russell high in your 2010 Fantasy Draft.